BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) Command Injection
CVE-2024-12356 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in Remote Support from BeyondTrust, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Remote Support versions: 24.3.1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on December 19, 2024, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of Remote Support you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on beyondtrust.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeyondTrust | Remote Support | 24.3.1 and earlier | Not stated |
| BeyondTrust | Privileged Remote Access | 24.3.1 and earlier | 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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) products which can allow an unauthenticated attacker to inject commands that are run as a site user.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-12356Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-12356Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-12356US Government Resource
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- attackerkb.com/topics/G5s8ZWAbYH/cve-2024-12356/rapid7-analysisExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Remote Support
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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