CVE-2024-30702 in Galactic Geochelone
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
An issue was discovered in ROS2 Galactic Geochelone in ROS_VERSION 2 and ROS_PYTHON_VERSION 3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via packages or nodes within the ROS2 system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Robot Operating System version 2 ecosystem, specifically affecting the Galactic Geochelone release. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the ROS2 core architecture that processes package and node communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious packages or nodes that contain specially crafted payloads designed to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary commands on systems running affected ROS2 versions. The vulnerability exists at the fundamental level of how ROS2 handles external package installations and node communications, creating a pathway for remote adversaries to gain unauthorized control over robotic systems and their underlying computing infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories, representing code injection flaws that occur when untrusted data is processed without proper validation. The flaw manifests in the ROS2 package management and node execution subsystems where user-provided inputs are not adequately sanitized before being processed by the system's core components. This allows attackers to inject malicious code through legitimate package installation mechanisms or node communication protocols, leveraging the trust relationships that exist between different components within the ROS2 ecosystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where ROS2 is used for robotic control, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and other safety-critical applications where remote code execution could lead to severe operational disruptions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple system compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of robotic and automated systems that rely on ROS2. Remote attackers can gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system manipulation, or even physical harm in environments where robotics are deployed. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ROS2 is widely adopted across industrial IoT, autonomous vehicle platforms, and smart manufacturing environments where these vulnerabilities could be exploited to disrupt critical operations. Organizations using ROS2 in production environments face significant risks including data breaches, operational downtime, and potential safety hazards when systems are compromised through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements within the ROS2 framework. System administrators should implement strict package verification mechanisms, disable unnecessary network access for ROS2 nodes, and establish robust firewall rules to limit communication between different system components. The recommended approach includes deploying network segmentation controls to isolate critical robotic systems from general network access, implementing code signing requirements for all ROS2 packages, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for unusual node behavior or package installations. Additionally, organizations should consider applying the latest security patches provided by the ROS2 community and implementing continuous vulnerability assessment programs specifically targeting robotic systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation, persistence mechanisms, and command and control communications that could be leveraged by sophisticated threat actors targeting industrial control systems.