CVE-2024-38109 in Azure Health Bot
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2024
An authenticated attacker can exploit an Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in Microsoft Azure Health Bot to elevate privileges over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38109 represents a critical Server-Side Request Forgery flaw within Microsoft Azure Health Bot service, categorized under CWE-918 which specifically addresses server-side request forgery vulnerabilities. This weakness allows an authenticated attacker to manipulate the backend service into making unauthorized requests to internal network resources that would typically be restricted or inaccessible from external networks. The Azure Health Bot service, designed to facilitate healthcare-related automated interactions and data processing, becomes a potential vector for attackers seeking to expand their operational reach within network environments where the service operates.
The technical exploitation of this SSRF vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits malicious input that the Health Bot service processes without proper validation or sanitization of external resource references. The flaw enables attackers to craft requests that bypass normal network security controls, potentially allowing access to internal systems, databases, or other sensitive resources that reside behind firewalls or network boundaries. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in cloud environments where Azure services often interact with internal corporate networks, as it can provide attackers with a pathway to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to resources that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration or service disruption, as it enables privilege escalation through network-based attacks that can compromise the integrity of the entire Azure environment. An authenticated attacker leveraging this vulnerability can potentially access internal APIs, databases, or other services that are not directly exposed to the internet, effectively creating a backdoor within the network infrastructure. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling and T1566 for phishing with a malicious attachment, as the vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain deeper access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-38109 should focus on implementing strict input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Azure Health Bot service, ensuring that all external resource references are properly validated against a whitelist of approved domains or IP addresses. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and microsegmentation principles to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they cannot easily move laterally within the network. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of external resource requests can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and patches should be applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities in Azure services. The mitigation approach should also consider implementing Azure-specific security controls such as Azure Web Application Firewall and network security groups to further restrict access patterns and prevent unauthorized network communications.