CVE-2024-56433 is classified as a low-severity vulnerability affecting shadow-utils (also known as shadow) versions 4.4 through 4.17.0. This vulnerability allows a default /etc/subuid behavior that can conflict with user IDs (UIDs) on locally administered networks. Specifically, it affects the UID range of 100000 to 165535 for the first user account. Such conflicts can potentially lead to account takeover, particularly when leveraging newuidmap for access to NFS home directories or other same-host resources during remote logins.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 3.6, indicating a low severity level. Organizations must take note of the risks associated with this vulnerability, especially in environments where user IDs are not strictly managed. The potential for unauthorized access highlights the need for prompt remediation.
Currently, there is an active exploit for this vulnerability, which raises concerns about its exploitation in real-world scenarios. Although it is not classified as high-profile, the impact on local network security should not be underestimated. Therefore, organizations should prioritize remediation to mitigate the risks involved.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The default UID assignment behavior should be reviewed, and administrators should ensure that UIDs within the potentially conflicting range are not assigned within local networks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from the default configuration of the /etc/subuid file in shadow-utils, which can lead to UID collisions. The potential consequences include unauthorized access to resources, highlighting the necessity for careful UID management.
The vulnerability was published on December 26, 2024, and is currently awaiting further analysis. Its CWE classification is CWE-1188, which denotes a specific type of configuration issue.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the default behavior established in the /etc/subuid configuration, which assigns a range of UIDs that conflict with those of local users. This can happen in local environments where UIDs are not strictly controlled.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit the vulnerability. The attack complexity is classified as high, which indicates that exploitation may require specific conditions or configurations to be successful. Privileges required are low, and user interaction is not necessary.
The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are both classified as low, while there is no impact on availability. This means that the main concern is unauthorized access to sensitive information or resources.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2024-56433 is significant due to the potential for account takeovers in environments with mismanaged UID assignments. Organizations should be aware that if this vulnerability is exploited, the blast radius could include multiple users on the same network, leading to a broader security incident.
Given the CVSS score of 3.6 and the fact that the vulnerability is currently being exploited, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize patching in their security response efforts.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects shadow-utils versions 4.4 through 4.17.0. Organizations using these versions should prioritize remediation to mitigate the risk of UID conflicts.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches from the shadow-utils project. The recommended version to upgrade to is one that has addressed this UID conflict issue. If a patch is not available, consider reviewing and modifying UID assignments within your local network to avoid conflicts with the range defined in /etc/subuid.
Additionally, implementing configuration hardening measures and network controls can reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. Monitoring for unusual access patterns may also help in early detection of potential exploitation.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities do not exist.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized UID assignments. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected access to NFS directories, should also be flagged for review.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-56433 highlights the importance of proper UID management in local network environments. As organizations increasingly rely on networked systems, the potential for misconfiguration becomes a significant risk. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to establish comprehensive policies for UID assignment and management.
To further enhance security measures, organizations should consider implementing penetration testing methodologies to identify configuration weaknesses proactively.
Adopting a vulnerability management program can also facilitate regular assessments and timely updates to security policies.
In summary, CVE-2024-56433 serves as a critical example of how configuration vulnerabilities can lead to significant security risks in networked environments. Organizations are encouraged to review their UID management practices and implement necessary mitigations.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)