CVE-2024-6174 in cloud-init
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
When a non-x86 platform is detected, cloud-init grants root access to a hardcoded url with a local IP address. To prevent this, cloud-init default configurations disable platform enumeration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6174 represents a critical security flaw within the cloud-init framework that affects systems operating on non-x86 architectures. This issue manifests when cloud-init detects a non-x86 platform and subsequently grants root access to a hardcoded URL containing a local IP address, creating an unintended attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from the default configuration behavior of cloud-init which, by design, attempts to access specific metadata services during system initialization. When running on non-x86 platforms such as arm64 or other architectures, the system's platform detection mechanism triggers a fallback behavior that exposes root privileges to a predetermined network endpoint, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and creating a potential pathway for unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the cloud-init daemon's platform enumeration logic that fails to properly restrict access when non-x86 architectures are detected. The hardcoded URL with the local IP address serves as a critical attack surface because it allows any user with sufficient privileges to potentially intercept or manipulate network traffic, or worse, gain unauthorized root access to systems that rely on cloud-init for configuration management. This flaw directly relates to CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically when system components grant elevated privileges without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system initialization level, meaning it can potentially compromise the entire system before security mechanisms are fully operational, and the hardcoded nature of the URL makes it predictable and easily targetable by attackers.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6174 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain full system control through the metadata service access point. This vulnerability affects cloud environments where systems are configured to use cloud-init for automatic configuration and where non-x86 architectures are present, potentially compromising virtual machines, containers, or bare metal systems. The issue creates a persistent security risk that remains active throughout the system's operational lifecycle, as long as the affected cloud-init configuration is in place. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system configuration weaknesses, and T1566 which encompasses social engineering and exploitation of trusted relationships through metadata service access.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve several key approaches that address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. Organizations should immediately disable platform enumeration in cloud-init configurations as a temporary measure to prevent the hardcoded URL access, which corresponds to the default configuration behavior mentioned in the vulnerability description. The proper solution requires updating cloud-init to version that properly handles non-x86 platform detection without granting root access to hardcoded network endpoints, or implementing custom configuration policies that explicitly restrict metadata service access on non-x86 platforms. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict outbound access to the specific hardcoded URL, while monitoring should be enhanced to detect any attempts to access the vulnerable endpoint. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protection measures that can detect and block unauthorized access attempts to metadata services, as this vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle techniques or compromised network infrastructure that allows interception of the hardcoded URL traffic.