CVE-2024-29039 in tpm2-tools
Summary
by MITRE • 06/28/2024
tpm2 is the source repository for the Trusted Platform Module (TPM2.0) tools. This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate tpm2_checkquote outputs by altering the TPML_PCR_SELECTION in the PCR input file. As a result, digest values are incorrectly mapped to PCR slots and banks, providing a misleading picture of the TPM state. This issue has been patched in version 5.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29039 affects the tpm2 tools suite, which serves as the primary source repository for Trusted Platform Module 2.0 implementations. This security flaw resides within the tpm2_checkquote utility, a critical component responsible for verifying the integrity of TPM measurements and quotes. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of TPML_PCR_SELECTION structures during quote validation processes, creating a fundamental weakness in the TPM2.0 verification framework. The issue manifests when attackers can manipulate the PCR input file to alter how digest values are mapped to PCR slots and banks, fundamentally compromising the trustworthiness of TPM state assessments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a direct manipulation of the TPML_PCR_SELECTION data structure, which defines which PCR banks and slots should be included in a quote verification process. When the tpm2_checkquote utility processes input files, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the PCR selection parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that causes digest values to be incorrectly associated with PCR slots and banks. This misalignment creates a false positive scenario where the system reports a valid quote even when the underlying TPM state has been tampered with, essentially breaking the cryptographic integrity guarantees that TPM2.0 is designed to provide. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper data mapping, with implications extending beyond simple data corruption to compromise the fundamental security assumptions of the TPM framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-29039 is significant within environments relying on TPM2.0 for hardware-based security measures, including secure boot processes, integrity verification, and attestation services. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially bypass security controls that depend on TPM2.0 quote validation, allowing them to present false positive attestations about system integrity. This weakness particularly affects systems implementing remote attestation, where the authenticity of TPM measurements is crucial for trust establishment. The vulnerability could enable attackers to subvert security mechanisms such as secure boot chains, integrity monitoring systems, and hardware-based authentication processes that rely on proper PCR selection and digest validation. Organizations using TPM2.0 for critical security functions may experience unauthorized system access or bypass of security controls, making this issue particularly dangerous in enterprise and government environments where hardware security is paramount.
The remediation for CVE-2024-29039 involves upgrading to version 5.7 of the tpm2-tools suite, which includes proper validation of TPML_PCR_SELECTION structures and correct handling of digest-to-PCR slot mappings. This patch addresses the root cause by implementing stricter input validation and ensuring that PCR selection parameters are properly sanitized before processing quote verification requests. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade across all systems utilizing TPM2.0 tools, particularly those implementing security-critical functions such as secure boot, remote attestation, and hardware-based authentication. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing CWE-220 which covers improper input validation and CWE-707 which deals with improper neutralization of special elements. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining current security tool versions and implementing proper input validation in cryptographic systems, as outlined in MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1552.001 for credentials from password storage components and T1078.004 for valid accounts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and validation of trust relationships established through TPM-based attestation processes, emphasizing the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and verification in hardware security modules.