In GNU Emacs versions prior to 30.1, a vulnerability exists in the elisp-mode.el component that enables a user to invoke elisp-completion-at-point on untrusted Emacs Lisp source code. This action can trigger unsafe Lisp macro expansion, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified as high severity with a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant risk to systems employing this software.
The potential for exploitation arises when users enable on-the-fly diagnosis, which byte compiles untrusted Emacs Lisp source code, further compounding the risk. Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations that utilize GNU Emacs should prioritize addressing this issue to prevent any unauthorized access or manipulation of their systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. As no public exploit has been confirmed for this vulnerability, it is essential for users to remain vigilant and implement the necessary updates as soon as they become available.
With the ongoing development of Emacs, it is crucial for organizations to stay informed about the latest updates and security advisories related to this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in detail allows an unauthorized user to perform arbitrary code execution via unsafe macro expansion. The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which indicates that the attack can be carried out locally, requires low complexity, and does not require any privileges. User interaction is necessary, and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the way Emacs handles untrusted Lisp source code during code completion. When users invoke elisp-completion-at-point on such code, the system triggers macro expansions that are not properly sanitized, allowing potential code execution. The attack vector is local, meaning the attacker must have access to the same system, and the complexity of the attack is low.
This vulnerability requires no special privileges to exploit, but does require user interaction, as the user must invoke the completion on untrusted code. The impacts of this vulnerability are severe, as it can lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using GNU Emacs are at risk of arbitrary code execution if this vulnerability is exploited. The ability for attackers to execute arbitrary code poses significant risks, including data breaches and system integrity compromise. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable due to the potential for exploitation on any system running the affected versions of Emacs.
Given the CVSS score of 7.8, it is essential for organizations to assess this vulnerability's urgency. Organizations should address this as part of their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks associated with this flaw.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects all versions of GNU Emacs prior to 30.1. Users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to the latest version to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, it is essential to update to GNU Emacs version 30.1 or later. If users cannot upgrade immediately, they should avoid invoking elisp-completion-at-point on untrusted Emacs Lisp code. Additionally, organizations should implement security controls to monitor and restrict the execution of untrusted code.
For organizations needing assistance, consider utilizing penetration testing services to validate your security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized attempts to invoke elisp-completion-at-point on untrusted Emacs Lisp code. Behavioral anomalies related to unexpected code execution should also be flagged for review.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The emergence of this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices when dealing with user-generated or untrusted code. It serves as a reminder for organizations to implement strict validation and sanitation measures to prevent code execution vulnerabilities.
For further reading on improving application security, refer to the penetration testing methodology and the importance of a robust vulnerability management program in identifying and mitigating similar risks.
In conclusion, organizations should remain proactive in their security practices to defend against vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-53920.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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