CVE-2024-39331 identifies a critical security vulnerability in GNU Emacs, specifically affecting versions prior to 29.4. The vulnerability lies in the function org-link-expand-abbrev within lisp/ol.el, which expands a %(...) link abbreviation, even when it specifies an unsafe function such as shell-command-to-string. This behavior could potentially lead to unauthorized command execution. Organizations using affected versions should be aware of the risk this vulnerability poses.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, classifying it as critical. This high severity level indicates significant potential for exploitation, particularly as the attack vector is network-based, with a low attack complexity. Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data and system integrity. Therefore, it is imperative for organizations to prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately.
Currently, there are no confirmed public exploits available, which may indicate a window of opportunity for organizations to secure their systems before potential exploitation becomes widespread. The urgency for defenders is high, given the critical nature of the vulnerability.
In summary, organizations relying on GNU Emacs should take immediate action to upgrade to version 29.4 or later to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2024-39331.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that in Emacs before version 29.4, the function org-link-expand-abbrev in lisp/ol.el expands a %(...) link abbreviation even when it specifies an unsafe function, such as shell-command-to-string. This affects Org Mode before version 9.7.5, making it a critical concern for users.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating high severity due to the significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. The potential attack scenario allows malicious actors to exploit this vulnerability without the need for privileges or user interaction, further increasing the risk.
The affected product is GNU Emacs, specifically all versions prior to 29.4. The publication date of the vulnerability is June 23, 2024.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which refers to "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')."
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-39331 is the improper handling of link expansions in Emacs, specifically within the Org Mode component. This design flaw allows unsafe functions to be executed via link abbreviations, leading to potential command execution vulnerabilities.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker could exploit this vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, as no special conditions need to be met for the exploitation to occur. Importantly, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is also not needed.
The impacts of this vulnerability are severe: it can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability, marking it as a high-risk issue for organizations that utilize GNU Emacs.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk posed by CVE-2024-39331 is substantial, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on GNU Emacs for critical operations. The potential for arbitrary code execution could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, disruption of services, and compromise of system integrity.
Organizations should assess their deployment of GNU Emacs and take immediate action to patch or upgrade to the secured versions. The urgency for remediation is critical, and failure to address this vulnerability could result in severe consequences.
With a CVSS score of 9.8 and a low complexity for exploitation, organizations are strongly advised to prioritize this vulnerability in their patch management schedules. The blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, as it affects all users of the affected versions of GNU Emacs.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of GNU Emacs are those prior to 29.4. Organizations should ensure they are using version 29.4 or later to avoid being vulnerable to CVE-2024-39331.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to GNU Emacs version 29.4 or later. If an immediate upgrade is not possible, organizations should implement workarounds by disabling the unsafe link abbreviation functionality.
For detailed guidance on secure configuration, organizations can refer to the application security assessment resources available.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their Emacs configurations for any unauthorized changes, especially related to link expansions. Log indicators should include any unexpected executions of shell commands triggered through Org Mode.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in open-source software development. As organizations increasingly rely on tools like GNU Emacs, understanding and mitigating vulnerabilities is crucial. Security teams should prioritize code review processes to identify similar issues in the future.
Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments and consider leveraging red teaming services to uncover potential vulnerabilities within their software stack.
For long-term security, organizations should adopt a comprehensive vulnerability management program that includes continuous monitoring, timely patching, and proactive threat intelligence.
In conclusion, CVE-2024-39331 serves as a reminder for organizations to remain vigilant about their software security practices and to prioritize timely remediation of vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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