CVE-2024-21623 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE, assigned by GitHub_M, was published on January 2, 2024, and pertains to an Arbitrary Expression Injection vulnerability in a github workflow that can lead to Command execution and leaking secrets.

Understanding CVE-2024-21623

This vulnerability, identified as CWE-74, involves the improper neutralization of special elements in the output used by a downstream component, which can result in injection attacks.

What is CVE-2024-21623?

The CVE-2024-21623 vulnerability affects the OTClient, an alternative tibia client for otserv. Prior to commit db560de0b56476c87a2f967466407939196dd254, the "Analysis - SonarCloud" workflow in the /mehah/otclient repository is vulnerable to an expression injection flaw in GitHub Actions. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable an attacker to execute commands remotely on the runner, disclose sensitive information, and manipulate the repository through the compromised workflow.

The Impact of CVE-2024-21623

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, this critical vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is low, and it can be exploited over a network without requiring any special privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-21623

This section provides more insight into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows threat actors to inject arbitrary expressions in the github workflow, leading to the execution of unauthorized commands and the exposure of sensitive data, ultimately compromising the security of the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2024-21623 vulnerability impacts the "otclient" product by "mehah" up to version db560de0b56476c87a2f967466407939196dd254.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the vulnerability in the "Analysis - SonarCloud" workflow of the OTClient, attackers can manipulate the workflow to execute malicious commands on the system and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2024-21623 and enhance overall security posture, immediate actions, long-term security best practices, and the importance of timely patching and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the vulnerable github workflow and implement security measures to prevent expression injection attacks.
Review access controls and minimize the exposure of sensitive information within workflows.
Monitor for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts in the affected repository.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and perform regular security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Educate developers and maintainers about secure workflow configurations and the risks associated with injection attacks.
Stay informed about security best practices and emerging threats in github workflows to proactively address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the OTClient repository is updated to commit db560de0b56476c87a2f967466407939196dd254 or later to apply the necessary fixes and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability. Regularly check for security advisories and apply patches promptly to secure the environment.