Description
A command injection vulnerability was identified in GitHub Enterprise Server that allowed an attacker with an editor role in the Management Console to gain admin SSH access to the appliance when setting up an HTTP proxy. Exploitation of this vulnerability required access to the GitHub Enterprise Server instance and access to the Management Console with the editor role. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.12 and was fixed in versions 3.11.5, 3.10.7, 3.9.10, and 3.8.15. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program https://bounty.github.com .
EPSS Score:
6%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-17116
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability EUVD-2024-17116, also known as CVE-2024-1359, is a command injection vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server. This vulnerability allows an attacker with an editor role in the Management Console to gain admin SSH access to the appliance when setting up an HTTP proxy. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) base score of 9.1 indicates a critical severity level. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H breaks down as follows:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires minimal complexity.
- Privileges Required (PR): High (H) - The attacker needs high privileges (editor role in the Management Console).
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required for the attack.
- Scope (S): Changed (C) - The vulnerability affects a different security scope.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - Complete loss of confidentiality.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - Complete loss of integrity.
- Availability (A): High (H) - Complete loss of availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves an attacker with editor-level access to the Management Console of GitHub Enterprise Server. The attacker can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious commands during the setup of an HTTP proxy. This injection can lead to gaining admin SSH access to the appliance, thereby compromising the entire system.
Potential exploitation methods include:
- Command Injection: Crafting specific input that includes malicious commands.
- Privilege Escalation: Using the editor role to execute commands that elevate privileges to admin level.
- SSH Access: Gaining unauthorized SSH access to the appliance, allowing further exploitation and data exfiltration.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of GitHub Enterprise Server:
- All versions prior to 3.12
- Specifically fixed in versions 3.11.5, 3.10.7, 3.9.10, and 3.8.15
Organizations using any of the affected versions should prioritize updating to the patched versions to mitigate the risk.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, the following strategies are recommended:
- Immediate Patching: Upgrade to the patched versions (3.11.5, 3.10.7, 3.9.10, or 3.8.15) as soon as possible.
- Access Control: Review and restrict access to the Management Console, ensuring that only trusted users have editor roles.
- Monitoring and Logging: Implement robust monitoring and logging to detect any suspicious activities related to the Management Console and SSH access.
- Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the potential impact of a compromised GitHub Enterprise Server.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address similar issues proactively.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The impact of this vulnerability on the European cybersecurity landscape is significant due to the widespread use of GitHub Enterprise Server in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and government. The potential for unauthorized access and data breaches poses a substantial risk to sensitive information and critical infrastructure. Organizations must ensure compliance with regulations such as GDPR by promptly addressing this vulnerability to protect personal data and maintain trust.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
For security professionals, the following technical details are crucial:
- Detection: Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to detect and block command injection attempts.
- Incident Response: Develop an incident response plan specific to command injection vulnerabilities, including steps for containment, eradication, and recovery.
- Code Review: Conduct thorough code reviews and static analysis to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in custom applications.
- Security Training: Provide training for developers and administrators on secure coding practices and the risks associated with command injection.
- Third-Party Dependencies: Regularly review and update third-party dependencies to ensure they are free from known vulnerabilities.
By addressing these technical details, security professionals can enhance the overall security posture of their organizations and mitigate the risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
EUVD-2024-17116 is a critical command injection vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server that requires immediate attention. Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems, implementing robust access controls, and enhancing monitoring and incident response capabilities to protect against potential exploitation. The impact on the European cybersecurity landscape underscores the importance of proactive security measures and compliance with regulatory requirements.