CVE-2024-2398 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in Apple macOS and related components such as curl and various NetApp firmware. This vulnerability allows an unauthorized memory leak during HTTP/2 server push operations in libcurl when the number of received headers exceeds the maximum limit. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.6, indicating a significant risk to organizations using the affected systems.
The vulnerability arises when applications enable HTTP/2 server push feature, and libcurl fails to properly manage memory. This leads to a situation where previously allocated headers are not freed, causing memory leaks. The failure to detect this condition means that applications may continue to operate without indication of the underlying issue, increasing the risk of resource exhaustion and potential denial of service.
Risk to organizations includes potential performance degradation and stability issues. As this vulnerability can go unnoticed, it is crucial for organizations using affected products to prioritize remediation efforts. The publication of this CVE on March 27, 2024, highlights the urgency for defenders to address the issue as part of their security posture.
Currently, no public exploit has been confirmed, but the exploitability is considered high, necessitating immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2024-2398 affects several products, including curl, macOS, Fedora, and various firmware from NetApp. The vulnerability description states: 'When an application tells libcurl it wants to allow HTTP/2 server push, and the amount of received headers for the push surpasses the maximum allowed limit (1000), libcurl aborts the server push. When aborting, libcurl inadvertently does not free all the previously allocated headers and instead leaks the memory. Further, this error condition fails silently and is therefore not easily detected by an application.'
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L, indicating a high confidentiality impact as well as low integrity and availability impacts. The affected components include active_iq_unified_manager, bootstrap_os, brocade_fabric_operating_system, curl, and macOS.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-772, which refers to missing release of memory after effective lifetime. This classification indicates that the improper memory management can lead to resource exhaustion, highlighting the importance of addressing this flaw.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-2398 stems from a combination of unbounded header management and a silent failure during the aborting process of HTTP/2 server push. This vulnerability can be exploited over a network, requiring no privileges or user interaction, making it particularly concerning for organizations.
The attack complexity is assessed as low, indicating that an attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability without significant barriers. The impacts on confidentiality are high, as the memory leak could expose sensitive information, while the integrity and availability impacts are rated low since the attack does not directly alter or deny access to data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using vulnerable versions of macOS, curl, and related software face significant risks due to this memory leak. The potential for performance degradation and service interruptions can lead to a substantial operational impact. Furthermore, the fact that the issue fails silently complicates detection and remediation efforts, increasing the risk of extended exposure.
As this vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.6, it indicates a high level of urgency for organizations to address it in their patch management cycles. The fact that it has not yet been exploited in the wild does not diminish the potential risk; organizations should not wait for a public exploit to take action.
Organizations should schedule remediation and prioritize the patching of affected systems to mitigate these risks effectively. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond the immediate technical scope and can affect overall organizational security posture.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected by this vulnerability: curl versions from 7.44.0 to below 8.7.0, macOS versions earlier than 12.7.6, and versions between 13.0 and below 13.6.8 as well as between 14.0 and below 14.6. Additionally, affected NetApp products include active_iq_unified_manager, ontap_select_deploy_administration_utility, and several firmware versions including h300s, h410s, h500s, h610c, h610s, h615c, and h700s.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2024-2398, organizations should apply the latest patches and updates provided by the respective vendors. For example, upgrading to the latest version of macOS, curl, and affected NetApp firmware is essential. Organizations may also refer to the full details in the vendor advisories for additional recommendations on configurations and hardening practices.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their systems for unusual memory usage patterns, particularly in applications utilizing libcurl with HTTP/2 server push enabled. Log indicators relating to memory allocation failures and abnormal performance metrics can serve as early warning signs of potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-2398 underscores the ongoing challenges in software development related to memory management and error handling. This incident reflects a broader trend of vulnerabilities that stem from improper resource management, particularly in widely-used libraries. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their use of third-party libraries and implement rigorous testing protocols to identify similar vulnerabilities.
Organizations are encouraged to adopt proactive measures such as penetration testing and regular security assessments to validate their defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, organizations should remain vigilant and responsive to vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-2398 to safeguard their systems and data integrity.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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