CVE-2024-6174 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Canonical's Cloud-init, with a CVSS score of 8.8. This vulnerability allows unauthorized root access when a non-x86 platform is detected. As a result, a hardcoded URL with a local IP address can be exploited, posing significant risks to the integrity and confidentiality of affected systems. Organizations utilizing Cloud-init must understand the urgency of addressing this vulnerability, as the potential for exploitation is high.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and system controls, which could lead to further compromises and operational disruptions. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on June 26, 2025, and is currently analyzed with no known public exploit available. However, organizations should not be complacent, as the nature of this vulnerability could easily change if an exploit becomes publicly accessible.
Given the high attack vector and potential impact, it is crucial for organizations to address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2024-6174 states that when a non-x86 platform is detected, Cloud-init grants root access to a hardcoded URL with a local IP address. To mitigate this risk, Cloud-init's default configurations disable platform enumeration. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287, indicating a failure to properly restrict access.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating high severity. The attack vector is adjacent network, with low complexity and no privileges required for exploitation. User interaction is not needed, and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as high.
This vulnerability affects all versions of Cloud-init prior to the patch in version 25.1.3, making it critical for users to upgrade as soon as possible.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the implementation of platform detection within the Cloud-init configuration. When non-x86 platforms are detected, the software incorrectly grants root access through a hardcoded URL, which could be exploited by an attacker on the same network. The attack vector is classified as adjacent, indicating that the attacker must be on the same local network segment as the vulnerable system.
The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, user interaction is not necessary, which increases the risk of exploitation in real-world scenarios.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant: a successful exploit could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, manipulation of system settings, and disruption of services. Organizations must prioritize mitigation efforts to protect their systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2024-6174 is substantial. Organizations utilizing Cloud-init on non-x86 platforms face a heightened threat, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain root access and potentially launch further attacks. This could lead to data breaches, system compromises, and significant operational disruptions.
The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any organization using the affected versions of Cloud-init, particularly those with poorly secured networks. The urgency of addressing this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score and the potential for exploitation without prior notice.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Cloud-init prior to the vendor patch in version 25.1.3 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that they are running the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must patch their systems to version 25.1.3 or later as soon as possible to remediate this vulnerability. For those unable to immediately apply the patch, it is recommended to disable platform enumeration in the default configuration of Cloud-init until the patch can be applied. Implementing network controls to limit access to sensitive systems is also advisable.
Organizations can validate remediation effectiveness through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for any suspicious access attempts to the hardcoded URL with local IP addresses. Behavioral anomalies or unauthorized changes to system configurations should also raise alerts. Additionally, network signatures can be established to identify any unauthorized access attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The discovery of CVE-2024-6174 highlights the ongoing challenges in securing cloud infrastructure, particularly for non-x86 platforms. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to continuously assess their cloud security posture and to implement robust security measures across all platforms. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration tests can help identify and remediate weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Organizations should also consider enhancing their security frameworks through continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities. For more guidance on securing cloud environments, refer to the following resources: cloud penetration testing, vulnerability management program, and penetration testing methodology best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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