CVE-2024-31228 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Redis, an open-source, in-memory database that persists on disk. Authenticated users can exploit this vulnerability by using specially crafted long string match patterns on supported commands such as `KEYS`, `SCAN`, `PSUBSCRIBE`, `FUNCTION LIST`, `COMMAND LIST`, and ACL definitions. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to denial-of-service (DoS) conditions due to unbounded recursion, ultimately resulting in a stack overflow and process crash. The vulnerability has been patched in Redis versions 6.2.16, 7.2.6, and 7.4.1.
The vulnerability carries a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a medium level of severity. Risk to organizations includes service disruption, which can significantly affect operations reliant on Redis for data management. Given the increasing reliance on Redis in various applications, it is crucial for organizations using affected versions to prioritize patching to mitigate potential risks.
Currently, there are no known workarounds for this vulnerability. Organizations using Redis are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest patched versions to ensure their systems remain secure. This vulnerability exemplifies the need for diligent patch management practices in software development and deployment.
The vulnerability was published on October 7, 2024, and has since been classified as a medium-risk issue. Organizations should assess their usage of Redis and take immediate action to update their systems accordingly.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows authenticated users to exploit specific commands leading to a denial-of-service condition. The affected versions include Redis versions prior to 6.2.16, 7.2.6, and 7.4.1. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating a local attack vector with low attack complexity and low privileges required for exploitation.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the handling of long string match patterns within Redis commands. When exceptionally long patterns are processed, the recursive nature of the matching logic can lead to excessive stack consumption, resulting in a stack overflow. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have authenticated access to the Redis instance.
The attack complexity is low, as it does not require advanced skills to craft a malicious input pattern. No user interaction is required for exploit execution. The vulnerability impacts availability significantly, as it can cause the Redis server to crash, disrupting services that rely on it.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk is notable for organizations utilizing Redis in production environments. The potential for service disruption due to this vulnerability is significant, as many applications depend on Redis for caching, real-time data processing, and other critical functions. Organizations should prioritize patching to avoid any operational impacts.
Given the CVSS score of 5.5, organizations should assess their patch management processes and integrate timely updates into their routine maintenance schedules. The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is categorized as medium, and organizations are advised to schedule remediation efforts promptly.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected products include all Redis versions prior to 6.2.16, 7.2.6, and 7.4.1. Organizations should verify their current Redis versions and upgrade accordingly.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching by upgrading to Redis versions 6.2.16, 7.2.6, or 7.4.1. In the absence of patches, users should implement network controls to limit access to Redis instances.
For more information on continuous security practices, refer to continuous penetration testing which can help identify potential vulnerabilities in the system.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of denial-of-service attempts, such as unusual patterns of commands being executed, especially those involving long string matches. Behavioral anomalies during normal operation could also signify exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-31228 highlights the importance of robust input validation mechanisms to prevent denial-of-service exploits. Security teams should learn from this incident to strengthen their application's defenses against similar attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and the adoption of secure coding practices should be a part of the development lifecycle.
For further insights, organizations can explore best practices in penetration testing methodology and how to implement effective security assessments.
Staying informed about vulnerability trends and applying timely security measures is critical for maintaining a secure environment. Organizations can benefit from engaging with vulnerability management programs to systematically address security weaknesses across their infrastructure.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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