Vault: Improper Certificate Validation
CVE-2024-2048 is a critical-severity improper certificate validation vulnerability in Vault from HashiCorp, 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. The record lists version 1.16.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Vault to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Vault to 1.16.0 or a later version.
- Update Vault Enterprise to 1.16.0 or a later version.
- Update Openbao to 2.0.0 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on discuss.hashicorp.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HashiCorp | Vault | 1.15.5 up to, but not including, 1.16.0 | 1.16.0 |
| HashiCorp | Vault Enterprise | 1.15.5 up to, but not including, 1.16.0 | 1.16.0 |
| Openbao | Openbao | before 2.0.0 | 2.0.0 |
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 | 8.1 | High | CNA (hashicorp.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Vault and Vault Enterprise (“Vault”) TLS certificate auth method did not correctly validate client certificates when configured with a non-CA certificate as trusted certificate. In this configuration, an attacker may be able to craft a malicious certificate that could be used to bypass authentication. Fixed in Vault 1.15.5 and 1.14.10.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Certificate Validation
The product does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Certificates should be carefully managed and checked to assure that data are encrypted with the intended owner's public key.
- If certificate pinning is being used, ensure that all relevant properties of the certificate are fully validated before the certificate is pinned, including the hostname.
More Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities (CWE-295)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240524-0009/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in Vault
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
Recent Improper Certificate Validation vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
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