CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-25021NVD status: Analyzed

AIX: Process Control

CVE-2024-25021 is a high-severity process control vulnerability in AIX from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.4 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected AIX versions: 7.3, VIOS 4.1; 7.3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of AIX you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
IBMAIX7.3, VIOS 4.1; 7.3Not stated
IBMVios4.1Not 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
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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).

Official description

IBM AIX 7.3, VIOS 4.1's Perl implementation could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands. IBM X-Force ID: 281320.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Process Control

Executing commands or loading libraries from an untrusted source or in an untrusted environment can cause an application to execute malicious commands (and payloads) on behalf of an attacker.

More Process Control vulnerabilities (CWE-114)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in AIX

All AIX vulnerabilities

Recent Process Control vulnerabilities

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