CVE-2024-41254 in litestream
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2024
An issue was discovered in litestream v0.3.13. The usage of the ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey() disables host key verification, possibly allowing attackers to obtain sensitive information via a man-in-the-middle attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41254 resides within the litestream v0.3.13 software, specifically addressing a critical security flaw in the SSH configuration implementation. This issue manifests through the deliberate use of ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey() function which fundamentally undermines the cryptographic security assurances typically provided by SSH connections. The vulnerability represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices and exposes systems to severe operational risks.
The technical flaw stems from the explicit disabling of host key verification within the SSH communication stack, creating an environment where malicious actors can execute successful man-in-the-middle attacks without detection. When ssh.InsecureIgnoreHostKey() is invoked, it effectively nullifies the SSH protocol's built-in mechanisms for authenticating remote hosts, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate servers and intercept or manipulate data transmitted between clients and servers. This configuration bypasses the fundamental security principle of SSH that ensures the authenticity of the remote host through cryptographic host key verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, potentially enabling comprehensive information disclosure and system compromise. Attackers exploiting this weakness can gain access to sensitive backup data, credentials, and other confidential information stored or transmitted through litestream's backup processes. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on litestream for database backup operations, particularly those with remote backup targets where SSH transport is utilized, creating potential for widespread data breaches and compliance violations. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-310, which categorizes cryptographic failures including the improper implementation of cryptographic protocols.
Organizations utilizing litestream version 0.3.13 face substantial risk exposure due to this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to compromise backup systems and potentially gain access to production environments. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that many backup solutions rely on SSH for secure data transmission, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where backup systems contain sensitive operational data. The MITRE ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation and defense evasion technique, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access while avoiding detection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address this vulnerability, while also implementing additional security controls such as explicit host key validation, network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized SSH connections. Organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their backup configurations to identify all instances where SSH is used for data transmission and ensure proper host key verification is implemented. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining secure default configurations and avoiding the use of insecure cryptographic practices, particularly in systems handling sensitive data.