CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-4985NVD status: Analyzed

Enterprise Server: Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-4985 is a critical-severity incorrect implementation of authentication algorithm vulnerability in Enterprise Server from GitHub, 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 Enterprise Server versions: 3.9.0 through 3.9.14; 3.10.0 through 3.10.11; 3.11.0 through 3.11.9, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.57% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 85% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Enterprise Server you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
GitHubEnterprise Server3.9.0 through 3.9.14; 3.10.0 through 3.10.11; 3.11.0 through 3.11.9; 3.12.0 through 3.12.3; 3.10.0 through 3.10.12; 3.11.0 through 3.11.10Not 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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 4.010.0CriticalCNA (github.com)
CVSS 3.19.8CriticalNVD

Official description

An authentication bypass vulnerability was present in the GitHub Enterprise Server (GHES) when utilizing SAML single sign-on authentication with the optional encrypted assertions feature. This vulnerability allowed an attacker to forge a SAML response to provision and/or gain access to a user with site administrator privileges. Exploitation of this vulnerability would allow unauthorized access to the instance without requiring prior authentication. This vulnerability affected all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.13.0 and was fixed in versions 3.9.15, 3.10.12, 3.11.10 and 3.12.4. This vulnerability was reported via the GitHub Bug Bounty program.

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

The underlying weakness: Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm

The requirements for the product dictate the use of an established authentication algorithm, but the implementation of the algorithm is incorrect.

More Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm vulnerabilities (CWE-303)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Enterprise Server

All Enterprise Server vulnerabilities

Recent Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm vulnerabilities

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