QTS: Improper Authentication
CVE-2024-21899 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in QTS from QNAP, 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 versions 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110, 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225 as the first without the flaw, so updating QTS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 24.4% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 2.1% of all scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update QTS to 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110 or 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update QuTS hero to h5.1.3.2578 build 20231110 or h4.5.4.2626 build 20231225, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update QuTScloud to c5.1.5.2651 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on qnap.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| QNAP | QTS | 5.1.x up to, but not including, 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110; 4.5.x up to, but not including, 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225; 5.1.0 up to, but not including, 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110; 4.5.0 up to, but not including, 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225 | 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110, 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225 |
| QNAP | QuTS hero | h5.1.x up to, but not including, h5.1.3.2578 build 20231110; h4.5.x up to, but not including, h4.5.4.2626 build 20231225; h5.1.0 up to, but not including, h5.1.3.2578 build 20231110; h4.5.0 up to, but not including, h4.5.4.2626 build 20231225 | h5.1.3.2578 build 20231110, h4.5.4.2626 build 20231225 |
| QNAP | QuTScloud | c5.x.x up to, but not including, c5.1.5.2651; c5.0.0 up to, but not including, c5.1.5.2651 | c5.1.5.2651 |
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 (qnapsecurity.com.tw) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
An improper authentication vulnerability has been reported to affect several QNAP operating system versions. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow users to compromise the security of the system via a network. We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following versions: QTS 5.1.3.2578 build 20231110 and later QTS 4.5.4.2627 build 20231225 and later QuTS hero h5.1.3.2578 build 20231110 and later QuTS hero h4.5.4.2626 build 20231225 and later QuTScloud c5.1.5.2651 and later
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in QTS
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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