Microsoft Open Management Infrastructure (OMI) Privilege Escalation
CVE-2021-38645 is a high-severity vulnerability in Azure Automation State Configuration, DSC Extension from Microsoft, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3 as the first without the flaw, so updating Azure Automation State Configuration, DSC Extension to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on November 3, 2021, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Azure Automation State Configuration, DSC Extension to DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3 or a later version.
- Update Azure Automation Update Management to OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 or a later version.
- Update Azure Diagnostics (LAD) to LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on msrc.microsoft.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Azure Automation State Configuration, DSC Extension | 2.0.0 up to, but not including, DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3 | DSC Agent versions: 2.71.1.25, 2.70.0.30, 3.0.0.3 |
| Microsoft | Azure Automation Update Management | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 | OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 |
| Microsoft | Azure Diagnostics (LAD) | 3.0.0 up to, but not including, LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135 | LAD v4.0.13 and LAD v3.0.135 |
| Microsoft | Azure Security Center | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 | OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 |
| Microsoft | Azure Sentinel | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 | OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 |
| Microsoft | Azure Stack Hub | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, Monitor, Update and Config Mgmnt 1.14.01 | Monitor, Update and Config Mgmnt 1.14.01 |
| Microsoft | Container Monitoring Solution | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, publication | publication |
| Microsoft | Log Analytics Agent | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 | OMS Agent for Linux GA v1.13.40-0 |
| Microsoft | Open Management Infrastructure | 16.0 up to, but not including, OMI Version 1.6.8-1 | OMI Version 1.6.8-1 |
| Microsoft | System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) | 1.0.0 up to, but not including, OMI version: 1.6.8-1 | OMI version: 1.6.8-1 |
| Microsoft | Azure Automation State Configuration | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Microsoft | System Center Operations Manager | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (microsoft.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.6 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
Open Management Infrastructure Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-38645US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Azure Automation State Configuration, DSC Extension
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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