CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-42381NVD status: Deferred

brew: Inclusion of Web Functionality from an Untrusted Source

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-42381 is a high-severity inclusion of web functionality from an untrusted source vulnerability in brew from Homebrew, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. The record lists version 4.2.20 as the first without the flaw, so updating brew to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.65% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 52% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update brew to 4.2.20 or a later version.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Homebrewbrewbefore 4.2.204.2.20

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
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
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:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (mitre.org).

Official description

os/linux/elf.rb in Homebrew brew before 4.2.20 uses ldd to load ELF files obtained from untrusted sources, which allows attackers to achieve code execution via an ELF file with a custom .interp section. NOTE: this code execution would occur during an un-sandboxed binary relocation phase, which occurs before a user would expect execution of downloaded package content. (237d1e783f7ee261beaba7d3f6bde22da7148b0a was the tested vulnerable version.)

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

The underlying weakness: Inclusion of Web Functionality from an Untrusted Source

The product includes web functionality (such as a web widget) from another domain in a way that causes the functionality to operate within the domain of the product, potentially granting total access and control of the product to the untrusted source.

More Inclusion of Web Functionality from an Untrusted Source vulnerabilities (CWE-830)

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

Recent Inclusion of Web Functionality from an Untrusted Source vulnerabilities

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