CVE-2024-38461 in iRODS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2024
irodsServerMonPerf in iRODS before 4.3.2 attempts to proceed with use of a path even if it is not a directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38461 affects the iRODS server monitoring functionality known as irodsServerMonPerf in versions prior to 4.3.2. This issue resides within the iRODS (Integrated Rule-Oriented Data System) platform, a comprehensive data management software suite designed for large-scale scientific data storage and retrieval. The vulnerability manifests in how the monitoring component handles path validation during performance monitoring operations, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw occurs within the irodsServerMonPerf module which fails to properly validate whether a specified path represents a directory before attempting to use it in monitoring operations. This path validation failure creates a condition where the system proceeds with operations on paths that may not be directories, potentially leading to unexpected behavior or privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path verification mechanisms that should have ensured the target path meets the expected directory criteria before processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate the monitoring system in ways that might compromise data integrity and system availability. When the monitoring component attempts to process non-directory paths, it could potentially lead to denial of service conditions, unauthorized data access, or information disclosure. The impact extends beyond simple operational disruption as it could provide attackers with opportunities to gain deeper system access or manipulate monitoring data that might be used for security auditing and compliance purposes.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Commands) which address path traversal and command injection risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged in the Execution and Privilege Escalation phases of an attack, potentially allowing adversaries to execute arbitrary code or gain elevated privileges within the iRODS environment. Organizations using iRODS versions prior to 4.3.2 should prioritize this update as it represents a fundamental security flaw in the system's monitoring infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate deployment of iRODS version 4.3.2 or later which contains the necessary patches to address this path validation issue. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging around the affected component to detect any potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential attack surfaces, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar path validation issues in other system components. The patch addresses the core validation logic and ensures proper directory path verification before any monitoring operations are initiated, thereby preventing the erroneous processing of non-directory paths that could lead to security compromise.