CVE-2024-6504 in InsightVM
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2024
Rapid7 InsightVM Console versions below 6.6.260 suffer from a protection mechanism failure whereby an attacker with network access to the InsightVM Console can cause it to overload or crash by sending repeated invalid REST requests in a short timeframe, to the Console's port 443 causing the console to enter an exception handling logging loop, exhausting the CPU. There is no indication that an attacker can use this method to escalate privilege, acquire unauthorized access to data, or gain control of protected resources. This issue is fixed in version 6.6.261.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6504 affects Rapid7 InsightVM Console versions prior to 6.6.260, representing a critical protection mechanism failure that undermines the system's resilience against malicious network traffic. This flaw manifests when an attacker with network access to the InsightVM Console can exploit the system's REST API handling by sending repeated invalid requests to port 443 within a short timeframe. The attack vector leverages the console's insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms, creating a cascading effect that leads to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the console's web interface and RESTful API endpoints that are accessible over HTTPS.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of inadequate request processing logic within the InsightVM Console software. When malformed or invalid REST requests are repeatedly sent to the console's port 443, the system enters an exception handling logging loop that consumes excessive CPU resources. This behavior stems from the console's failure to implement proper rate limiting or request throttling mechanisms, allowing an attacker to overwhelm the system's processing capabilities through repetitive invalid API calls. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400 as an Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically manifesting as a denial of service condition. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes Network Denial of Service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to disrupt services.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6504 extends beyond simple service disruption, as the continuous CPU exhaustion can lead to complete system unresponsiveness and potential crashes. While the vulnerability does not appear to enable privilege escalation or unauthorized data access, the denial of service aspect can severely impact security operations by rendering the InsightVM console unavailable during critical security assessments or incident response activities. Organizations relying on InsightVM for vulnerability management and security monitoring face significant operational risks when this vulnerability is present, as the console's unavailability can interrupt ongoing security workflows and compromise the organization's ability to maintain visibility into their network security posture. The lack of data exfiltration or privilege escalation capabilities does not diminish the severity of the impact, as the availability of security tools is crucial for maintaining effective cybersecurity operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6504 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to version 6.6.261, which contains the necessary fixes to address the protection mechanism failure. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as rate limiting rules at firewalls or load balancers to restrict the number of requests that can be made to the console's port 443 from any single source. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual patterns of API requests and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on repeated invalid REST requests targeting the affected console. Network segmentation should be considered to limit direct access to the InsightVM console from untrusted networks, while also ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the console's administrative interfaces. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation, exception handling, and resource management controls that prevent the system from entering the problematic logging loop during high-volume invalid request scenarios.