CVE-2024-0394 in Minerva Armor
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
Rapid7 Minerva Armor versions below 4.5.5 suffer from a privilege escalation vulnerability whereby an authenticated attacker can elevate privileges and execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privilege. The vulnerability is caused by the product's implementation of OpenSSL's`OPENSSLDIR` parameter where it is set to a path accessible to low-privileged users. The vulnerability has been remediated and fixed in version 4.5.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0394 affects Rapid7 Minerva Armor versions prior to 4.5.5 and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that allows authenticated attackers to gain SYSTEM-level privileges within the affected system. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of the OpenSSL `OPENSSLDIR` parameter during the product's runtime execution. The flaw enables attackers who already possess valid credentials to escalate their access rights and execute arbitrary code with the highest available privileges, effectively compromising the entire system's security posture. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it requires only authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user credentials may be compromised or where attackers can obtain legitimate access through other means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure configuration of the `OPENSSLDIR` environment variable within the Minerva Armor application. When this parameter is set to a path that is accessible to low-privileged users, it creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the OpenSSL configuration and subsequently escalate their privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the application fails to properly validate or restrict access to critical system components. The flaw essentially allows attackers to modify or replace OpenSSL-related files that are loaded with elevated privileges, creating a path for privilege escalation through the manipulation of the application's runtime environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system and potentially the entire network infrastructure managed by Minerva Armor. Attackers with SYSTEM privileges can access sensitive data, modify system configurations, install malware, and establish persistent backdoors within the environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Minerva Armor for network security monitoring and threat detection, as the compromise of such a system would provide attackers with access to critical network intelligence and potentially enable them to evade detection mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal additional attack vectors beyond initial authentication, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to maximize their access within a compromised environment.
Organizations should immediately update their Minerva Armor installations to version 4.5.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no known workarounds exist for this specific privilege escalation flaw. The fix implemented in version 4.5.5 addresses the insecure handling of the `OPENSSLDIR` parameter by ensuring that the OpenSSL configuration paths are properly restricted and inaccessible to low-privileged users. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running affected versions and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized users from obtaining the initial authentication credentials required to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and secure configuration practices in security applications, particularly those that operate with elevated system privileges and handle sensitive network data.