Author: Gargi

Critical Apache Tomcat Vulnerabilities Allow RCE & DoS

Summary

OEMApache
SeverityCritical
CVSS9.8
CVEsCVE-2024-50379, CVE-2024-54677
Exploited in WildYes
Patch/Remediation AvailableYes
Advisory Version1.0

Overview

Recent vulnerabilities in Apache Tomcat, identified as CVE-2024-50379 and CVE-2024-54677, present significant security threats, including remote code execution (RCE) and denial-of-service (DoS) risks. CVE-2024-50379 exploits a race condition during JSP compilation on case-insensitive file systems, enabling attackers to run arbitrary code. CVE-2024-54677 takes advantage of unlimited file uploads in example applications to trigger resource exhaustion.

Vulnerability NameCVE IDProduct AffectedSeverityAffected Version
Race Condition Vulnerability CVE-2024-50379ApacheCriticalApache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.1 Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.33 Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.97
Uncontrolled Resource Consumption Vulnerability CVE-2024-54677ApacheMediumApache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.1 Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.33 Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.97

Technical Summary

CVE IDSystem AffectedVulnerability DetailsImpact
CVE-2024-50379Apache TomcatA race condition during JSP compilation in Apache Tomcat allows attackers to upload malicious JSP files, leading to remote code execution. This occurs when the default servlet is configured with write permissions on a case-insensitive file system.    Remote Code Execution
CVE-2024-54677Apache TomcatThe examples web application in Apache Tomcat does not limit the size of uploaded data, enabling attackers to cause an OutOfMemoryError by uploading excessive amounts of data, leading to a denial of service.    Denial of Service

Remediation:

  • Upgrade Apache Tomcat to the latest fixed versions:
    • Apache Tomcat 11.0.2 or latest
    • Apache Tomcat 10.1.34 or latest
    • Apache Tomcat 9.0.98 or latest

Recommendations:

  • Configuration Hardening:
    • Restrict write permissions for the default servlet to prevent unauthorized JSP file uploads.
    • Remove or disable example applications to reduce exposure to potential attacks.
  • Monitor and Audit:
    • Regularly review server logs for signs of exploitation attempts.
    • Apply a robust file upload policy to limit sizes and validate content.
  • Regularly update all your software’s to address security vulnerabilities 

References:

Blue Yonder SaaS giant breached by Termite Ransomware Gang

The company acknowledged it is investigating claims by a public threat group linked to the November ransomware attack. 

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Advisory on MUT-8694: Threat Actors Exploiting Developer Trust in Open-Source Libraries

MUT-8694: Threat Actors Exploiting Developer Trust in Open-Source Libraries

Overview

In November 2024, a supply chain attack designated as MUT-8694 was identified, targeting developers relying on npm and PyPI package repositories. This campaign exploits trust in open-source ecosystems, utilizing typosquatting to distribute malicious packages. The malware predominantly affects Windows users, delivering advanced infostealer payloads.

MUT-8694 Campaign Details

The threat actors behind MUT-8694 use malicious packages that mimic legitimate libraries to infiltrate developer environments. The campaign employs techniques such as:

  • Typosquatting: Using package names that closely resemble popular or legitimate libraries.
  • Payload Delivery: Embedded scripts download malware such as Blank Grabber and Skuld Stealer hosted on GitHub and repl.it.
  • Targeted Ecosystems: npm and PyPI, critical platforms for developers.

             Source: Datadog

Key Findings

One identified package, larpexodus (version 0.1), executed a PowerShell command to download and run a Windows PE32 binary from github[.]com/holdthaw/main/CBLines.exe. Analysis revealed the binary was an infostealer malware, Blank Grabber, compiled from an open-source project hosted on GitHub. Further inspection of the repository exposed another stealer, Skuld Stealer, indicating the involvement of multiple commodity malware samples.

Capabilities of Malware

The deployed malware variants include advanced features that allow:

  • Credential Harvesting: Exfiltrating usernames, passwords, and sensitive data.
  • Cryptocurrency Wallet Theft: Targeting and compromising crypto assets.
  • Application Data Exfiltration: Stealing configuration files from popular applications

Affected Packages

Some known malicious packages include:

  • larpexodus (PyPI): Executes a PowerShell script to download malware.
  • Impersonations of npm libraries: Host binaries leading to infostealer deployment.

Remediation:

To mitigate the risks associated with this attack, users should:

  • Audit Installed Packages: Use tools like npm audit or pip audit to identify vulnerabilities.
  • Validate Package Sources: Verify package publishers and cross-check names carefully before installation.
  • Monitor Network Activity: Look for unusual connections to GitHub or repl.it domains.
  • Use Security Tools: Implement solutions that detect malicious dependencies.

General Recommendations:

  • Avoid downloading software from unofficial or unverified sources.
  • Regularly update packages and dependencies to the latest versions.
  • Conduct periodic security awareness training for developers and IT teams.

References:

Godot Hijacked with Malware to infect Thousands of PC’s

Godot is a platform that host open source game development, where new Malware loader installed in its programming language

At least 17,000 devices were infected with infostealers and cryptojackers so far.

As per researchers cyber criminals have been building malicious code written in GDScript (Godot’s Python-like scripting language) calling on some 200 GitHub repositories and more than 220 Stargazer Ghost accounts.

Earlier hackers targeted the open sources gaming platform targeting users of the Godot Gaming Engine and researcher’s spotted that GodLoader would drop different malware to the infected devices mostly in RedLine stealer, and XMRig, a popular cryptojacker.

GodLoader, the researchers further explained, was downloaded at least 17,000 times, which is a rough estimate on the number of infected devices. However, the attack surface is much, much larger.

Check Point argues that in theory, crooks could hide malware in cheats, cracks, or modes, for different Godot-built games. Check Point detected four separate attack waves against developers and gamers between September 12 and October 3, enticing them to download infected tools and games.

Looking at the number of popular games developed with Godot, that would put the attack surface at approximately 1.2 million people.

Hackers delivered the GodLoader malware through the Stargazers Ghost Network, a malware Distribution-as-a-Service (DaaS) that masks its activities using seemingly legitimate GitHub repositories.

Technical Details

Godot does not register a file handler for “.pck” files. This means that a malicious actor always has to ship the Godot runtime together with a .pck file. The user will always have to unpack the runtime together with the .pck to the same location and then execute the runtime.

There is no way for a malicious actor to create a “one click exploit”, barring other OS-level vulnerabilities. If such an OS-level vulnerability were used then Godot would not be a particularly attractive option due to the size of the runtime.

LogoFAIL Exploited to Deploy Bootkitty, the first UEFI bootkit for Linux

Researchers have uncovered the first UEFI bootkit designed specifically for Linux systems, named Bootkitty.

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Security Update for NVIDIA Base Command & Bright Cluster Managers 

NVIDIA has issued a security advisory addressing a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-0138) discovered in its Base Command Manager software. This flaw, located within the CMDaemon component, poses significant risks, including the potential for remote code execution, denial of service, privilege escalation, information disclosure, and data tampering.

What does the Vulnerability mean

The source of the vulnerability was from insecure temporary file handling, which could lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition on affected systems.

NVIDIA has released patches to address the issue and prevent potential exploitation. This critical flaw can be exploited remotely without any prerequisites, such as user interaction or special privileges, making it highly dangerous.

Vulnerability Name CVE ID Product Affected Impact Fixed Version 
Insecure Temporary File Vulnerability CVE-2024-0139 NVIDIA Base Command Manager, Bright Cluster Manager Medium Base Command Manager: 10.24.09a; Bright Cluster Manager: 9.0-22, 9.1-19, 9.2-17 

Technical Summary 

 NVIDIA confirmed earlier versions, including 10.24.07 and earlier, are not impacted by this vulnerability.

To mitigate the issue, NVIDIA recommends updating the CMDaemon component on all head nodes and software images.

Remediation

1. Base Command Manager 

  • Update to version 10.24.09a to address the vulnerability. 

2. Bright Cluster Manager 

  • Depending on your version, update to one of the following: 
  • 9.0-22 
  • 9.1-19 
  • 9.2-17 

3. CMdaemon Update 

  • Ensure the most recent version of CMdaemon is installed on the head nodes and in all software images. 

4. Node Update . 

After applying the update, systems should be rebooted or resynchronized with the updated software image to ensure the fix is fully implemented. These measures are essential to eliminate the root cause that created vulnerability and protect systems from potential exploitation.

References

CVE ID System Affected Platform Vulnerability Details Impact 
CVE-2024-0139 NVIDIA Base Command Manager (Versions 3, 10) NVIDIA Bright Cluster Manager (Versions 9.0-9.2) Linux The vulnerability stems from insecure handling of temporary files in both Base Command Manager and Bright Cluster Manager. Exploiting this flaw could disrupt system availability, potentially causing a denial of service. Potential denial of service on affected systems. 

Re-release of November 2024 Exchange Server Security Updates

Microsoft users had a tough time to send or load attachments to emails when using Outlook, were unable to connect to the server, and in some cases could not log into their accounts.

Microsoft Exchange Online is a platform for business communication that has a mail server and cloud apps for email, contacts, and calendars.

Microsoft mitigated the issue after identification were able to determine the cause of the outages and is rolling out a fix for the issue. That rollout is gradual, however, as outage reports continue to come in at DownDetector.

Impact

The outage left many users unable to communicate with colleagues, particularly as it coincided with the start of the workday in Europe. Frustration quickly spread across social media, with users reporting issues accessing emails and participating in Teams calls

Re-release of November 2024 Exchange Server Security Updates 

Summary 

OEM Microsoft 
Severity High 
Date of Announcement 27/11/2024 
Product Microsoft Exchange Server 
CVE ID CVE-2024-49040 
CVSS Score 7.5 
Exploited in Wild No 
Patch/Remediation Available Yes 
Advisory Version 1.0 

Overview 

On November 27, 2024, Microsoft re-released the November 2024 Security Updates (SUs) for Exchange Server to resolve an issue introduced in the initial release on November 12, 2024. The original update (SUv1) caused Exchange Server transport rules to intermittently stop functioning, particularly in environments using transport or Data Loss Protection (DLP) rules. The updated version (SUv2) addresses this issue. 

Table of Actions for Admins: 

Scenario Action Required 
SUv1 installed manually, and transport/DLP rules are not used Install SUv2 to regain control over the X-MS-Exchange-P2FromRegexMatch header. 
SUv1 installed via Windows/Microsoft Update, no transport/DLP rules used No immediate action needed; SUv2 will be installed automatically in December 2024. 
SUv1 installed and then uninstalled due to transport rule issues Install SUv2 immediately. 
SUv1 never installed Install SUv2 immediately. 

Remediation Steps 

1. Immediate Actions 

  • Use the Health Checker script to inventory your Exchange Servers and assess update needs. 
  • Install the latest Cumulative Update (CU) followed by the November 2024 SUv2. 

2. Monitor System Performance 

  • After enabling AMSI integration for message bodies, monitor for any performance issues such as delays in mail flow or server responsiveness. 

3. Run SetupAssist Script for Issues 

  • Use the SetupAssist script to troubleshoot issues with failed installations or update issues, and check logs for specific error details. 

References

Analysis of WezRat Malware; Check point Findings

New CheckPoint research discovered a new remote access trojan and information stealer used by Iranian state-sponsored actors to conduct reconnaissance of compromised endpoints and execute malicious commands.

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