CVE-2024-30703 in Galactic Geochelone
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
An arbitrary file upload vulnerability has been discovered in ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2) Galactic Geochelone ROS_VERSION 2 and ROS_PYTHON_VERSION 3, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service (DoS), and obtain sensitive information via a crafted payload to the file upload mechanism of the ROS2 system, including the server’s functionality for handling file uploads and the associated validation processes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2026
The discovered arbitrary file upload vulnerability in ROS2 Galactic Geochelone represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of robotic systems relying on this middleware. This vulnerability specifically targets the file upload mechanisms within the ROS2 framework, which is widely adopted across autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and robotic research environments. The flaw exists in the server-side validation processes that handle file uploads, creating an attack vector where malicious actors can bypass security controls to execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability affects both ROS_VERSION 2 and ROS_PYTHON_VERSION 3 implementations, indicating a fundamental issue within the core file handling infrastructure that impacts a substantial portion of the ROS2 ecosystem. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in robotics environments where systems may operate in sensitive or restricted environments, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the file upload components of the ROS2 system. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit weaknesses in the validation logic, allowing them to upload files with potentially harmful extensions or content types. This flaw typically manifests when the system fails to properly verify file attributes such as MIME types, file extensions, or content signatures before processing uploads. The vulnerability may also involve path traversal issues where attackers can manipulate file paths to write files to unintended locations within the system's filesystem. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-434 which specifically addresses "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," representing a well-documented weakness in web application security. The flaw essentially creates a condition where the system accepts and processes files without adequate security checks, enabling attackers to upload malicious executables, scripts, or configuration files that can be executed by the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, encompassing severe consequences for robotic system integrity and availability. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise where attackers gain persistent access to robotic platforms, potentially allowing them to manipulate sensor data, control actuators, or exfiltrate sensitive operational information. The denial of service component of this vulnerability can render robotic systems inoperable by overwriting critical system files or consuming resources through malicious file uploads. Organizations utilizing ROS2 for autonomous operations face significant risks including potential physical harm in industrial settings, data breaches containing proprietary robotics algorithms, and operational disruptions that could affect mission-critical applications. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in distributed robotic systems where compromised nodes can serve as entry points for lateral movement across networked robot fleets. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1195.002 (Phishing for Information) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can use the upload capability to establish persistent access and execute commands within the robotic environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust file validation controls and comprehensive security hardening measures. Organizations should implement strict file type validation using whitelisting approaches rather than blacklisting, ensuring only known safe file extensions and MIME types are accepted. The system should enforce proper file content verification through signature checks and MIME type detection to prevent attackers from disguising malicious payloads as legitimate files. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit upload capabilities to authorized personnel only, while monitoring and logging mechanisms should be deployed to detect suspicious upload activities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within the ROS2 ecosystem, particularly focusing on the communication protocols and middleware components that handle file transfers. System administrators should also consider implementing automated file scanning solutions that can detect malicious content before it is processed, along with regular updates to the ROS2 framework to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include thorough code reviews of file handling components and implementation of secure coding practices that prevent similar issues from arising in future development cycles.