CVE-2024-0684: Medium Vulnerability in GNU Coreutils

CVE-2024-0684 is identified as a medium severity vulnerability found in the GNU Coreutils, specifically in the 'split' program. This vulnerability allows a heap overflow with user-controlled data of multiple hundred bytes in length to occur in the line_bytes_split() function. The consequence of this flaw could lead to an application crash and denial of service.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. This score highlights the importance for organizations to address this vulnerability due to the potential impact on availability.

Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions, as successful exploitation could lead to application crashes. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it is critical for organizations using affected versions of GNU Coreutils to prioritize remediation.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

The vulnerability was published on February 6, 2024, and has been modified since its initial identification, indicating ongoing monitoring and potential updates from the vendor.

As of now, there is no known exploit publicly available, though there is a proof of concept found on GitHub, which may be indicative of further developments in its exploitation.

Organizations using GNU Coreutils should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and take necessary actions.

For comprehensive coverage, organizations are encouraged to incorporate this vulnerability into their security assessments and update their threat models accordingly.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability exists in the line_bytes_split() function of the GNU coreutils 'split' program. Due to a flaw in handling user-controlled data, a heap overflow may occur, leading to significant impacts on availability.

CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) apply to this vulnerability, indicating the nature of the security issue.

The affected versions include GNU Coreutils versions 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4, all of which should be updated to patch this vulnerability.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2024-0684 is linked to improper handling of data in the line_bytes_split() function, which allows for user-controlled data to overflow the heap memory. This could be triggered by a malicious user providing input to the split command.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit this flaw.

The attack complexity is low, as the conditions for exploitation can be easily met by providing specially crafted input.

Privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are low, as a user with standard access could potentially trigger the flaw without needing elevated permissions.

User interaction is not required for exploitation, as the flaw can be triggered by direct command input.

The impact on confidentiality and integrity is none; however, the availability impact is high, as successful exploitation could result in application crashes.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations that deploy GNU Coreutils in their environments face significant risks associated with this vulnerability. The potential for an application crash can disrupt services and impact user experience.

The blast radius of this vulnerability can be extensive, especially in systems that rely heavily on the split functionality of coreutils for data processing tasks. A denial of service can affect multiple users and applications relying on this functionality.

Given the CVSS score of 5.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate any potential risks.

Exploitation Status

Affected Versions

The affected versions of GNU Coreutils are 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4. Organizations should update to the latest patched versions to mitigate this vulnerability.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches for GNU Coreutils as soon as they are available. For systems that cannot be immediately patched, consider implementing workarounds, such as restricting access to the 'split' command for untrusted users.

Continuous monitoring of the systems should be performed to detect any anomalous behavior associated with this vulnerability.

Organizations can seek assistance in validating their remediation efforts through penetration testing to ensure similar weaknesses are addressed.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, security teams should monitor logs for any unusual activity associated with the use of the 'split' command. Additionally, identifying patterns of behavior that deviate from normal operations can help in detecting attacks.

Network signatures that identify the use of the 'split' command with excessive input can also be useful in detecting attempts to exploit this vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2024-0684 lies in its demonstration of how seemingly minor utilities like 'split' can harbor critical vulnerabilities. This incident highlights the need for robust input validation in software design, particularly in widely-used libraries.

Organizations should learn from this vulnerability to strengthen their overall security posture. By regularly reviewing and updating all components in their systems, they can reduce exposure to similar vulnerabilities.

For further insights into vulnerability management best practices, organizations can refer to resources on vulnerability management and consider implementing a robust program to continuously assess and improve their security postures.

Additionally, organizations should explore penetration testing methodologies to ensure that their systems are resilient against various attack vectors.

Finally, organizations may benefit from understanding the broader trends in vulnerability exposure by examining vulnerability exposure trends to better prepare for future incidents.