CVE-2024-1801 in Telerik Reporting
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
In Progress® Telerik® Reporting versions prior to 2024 Q1 (18.0.24.130), a code execution attack is possible by a local threat actor through an insecure deserialization vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1801 affects Progress Telerik Reporting versions prior to the 2024 Q1 release, specifically those below version 18.0.24.130. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this reporting framework. The vulnerability stems from insecure deserialization practices within the software's architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Security researchers have identified that this flaw allows local threat actors to leverage the deserialization mechanism to gain unauthorized access and potentially compromise entire server environments. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability enables full system compromise through code execution capabilities.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization of untrusted data within the Telerik Reporting framework. When the application processes serialized objects from external sources, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data before deserializing it into executable code. This weakness creates a direct attack vector where an adversary can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable system, trigger unintended code execution. The flaw aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security vulnerability. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of serialized objects and demonstrates poor input validation practices that have been consistently identified as a primary attack surface in modern software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1801 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that utilize Progress Telerik Reporting in their business processes. Local threat actors can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate their privileges, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and establish persistent access to the compromised environment. Organizations using affected versions may experience data breaches, service disruptions, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for code execution without requiring authentication, making it easier for threat actors to gain initial access to systems. This vulnerability can be leveraged to deploy additional malware, create backdoors, or use the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately update to Progress Telerik Reporting version 18.0.24.130 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The update addresses the insecure deserialization flaw by implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for serialized data. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary features, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of the reporting infrastructure. Organizations should follow the ATT&CK framework's T1203 technique for legitimate code execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as these tactics are commonly employed when exploiting deserialization vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against such critical security flaws. Regular vulnerability assessments and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.