CVE-2024-30164 in AWS Client VPN
Summary
by MITRE • 05/28/2024
Amazon AWS Client VPN has a buffer overflow that could potentially allow a local actor to execute arbitrary commands with elevated permissions. This is resolved in 3.11.1 on Windows, 3.9.1 on macOS, and 3.12.1 on Linux. NOTE: although the macOS resolution is the same as for CVE-2024-30165, this vulnerability on macOS is not the same as CVE-2024-30165.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30164 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Amazon AWS Client VPN implementations across multiple operating systems. This security weakness resides in the client-side software that establishes and manages virtual private network connections between user devices and AWS cloud infrastructure. The buffer overflow vulnerability specifically affects the handling of input data within the VPN client software, creating an exploitable condition that could be leveraged by malicious actors with local access to the affected system. The flaw manifests when the client software processes certain data inputs without proper boundary checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially gain unauthorized control over the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The attack vector requires local system access, meaning an adversary must already have user-level privileges on the target machine to exploit this weakness. However, the security implications are severe as successful exploitation could enable privilege escalation to system-level access, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which encompasses privilege escalation through local exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and specifically relates to the tactic of privilege escalation within the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-30164 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it could potentially compromise the entire VPN infrastructure that relies on the affected client software. Organizations using AWS Client VPN services may face significant security risks if their endpoints remain unpatched, particularly in environments where multiple users access sensitive cloud resources through these VPN connections. The vulnerability affects Windows systems requiring version 3.11.1, macOS systems needing version 3.9.1, and Linux systems requiring version 3.12.1 for remediation. The distinct version requirements across platforms indicate that the underlying code implementation differs between operating systems, potentially due to platform-specific memory management approaches and system call handling that each requires different mitigation strategies. Security teams must ensure comprehensive patch management across all affected platforms to prevent potential exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30164 should prioritize immediate deployment of the vendor-supplied patches across all affected systems. Organizations should implement a systematic approach to vulnerability management that includes automated patch deployment tools and regular security assessments to identify unpatched systems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before widespread deployment to prevent potential service disruptions. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual system behavior or unauthorized privilege escalation activities. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains elevated privileges, they cannot move laterally within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue means that organizations should also review their local user access controls and implement principle of least privilege configurations to minimize potential damage from compromised endpoints.