CVE-2024-1359 in GitHub
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2024
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 .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
This command injection vulnerability in GitHub Enterprise Server represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically targeted the HTTP proxy configuration functionality within the Management Console, where an attacker with an editor role could exploit a lack of proper sanitization to inject malicious commands. This flaw existed in all versions prior to the fixed releases of 3.11.5, 3.10.7, 3.9.10, and 3.8.15, indicating a widespread issue affecting multiple major release lines. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it allowed an attacker to escalate from an editor role to full administrative SSH access, effectively bypassing the principle of least privilege that should normally prevent such privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input during HTTP proxy configuration setup. When administrators configured proxy settings through the Management Console, the system failed to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters, creating an environment where malicious commands could be executed with the privileges of the web application process. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability, which aligns with CWE-77 and follows patterns commonly seen in web application security flaws where user input flows directly into system commands without adequate sanitization. The attack vector required both physical access to the GitHub Enterprise Server instance and administrative access to the Management Console, but once these prerequisites were met, the vulnerability provided a pathway for full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security architecture of GitHub Enterprise Server deployments. An attacker who gained access to the Management Console with editor privileges could not only configure HTTP proxies but could also execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where GitHub Enterprise Server might be used to manage sensitive code repositories and development workflows. The fact that this vulnerability was reported through GitHub's official bug bounty program demonstrates the responsible disclosure practices that help identify and remediate such critical flaws before they could be exploited in the wild.
Organizations using affected versions of GitHub Enterprise Server should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Management Console, and conducting thorough access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel maintain editor privileges. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data in all administrative interfaces, particularly those that interact with system-level configurations. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through log analysis and network monitoring, as command injection attacks often leave detectable traces in system logs and network traffic patterns. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing administrative interfaces and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to prevent privilege escalation attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.