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Executive Summary
On November 19, 2024, a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10524 was disclosed, affecting the widely utilized command-line utility GNU Wget. This vulnerability, discovered and disclosed by JFrog's security research team, poses significant risks, particularly through various attack vectors such as phishing, Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), and Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) attacks. Organizations using affected versions of Wget are strongly advised to implement immediate mitigation strategies, including upgrading to the patched version 1.25.0 or later.
Technical Information
CVE-2024-10524 is a critical vulnerability that arises from the improper handling of shorthand URLs in GNU Wget. This command-line tool is commonly employed for downloading files from the web, making it a frequent target for exploitation. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate user-provided credentials within URLs, potentially redirecting requests to malicious servers. The flaw is particularly concerning as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and internal services.
The vulnerability is rooted in how Wget processes shorthand URLs. When a user inputs a URL in shorthand format, Wget may misinterpret the request, leading to unintended behavior. For instance, a command like
The vulnerability affects all versions of Wget up to and including 1.24.5. A patch has been released in Wget 1.25.0, which users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to in order to mitigate this risk. The affected product versions include openSUSE Tumbleweed, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0, SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3, SUSE Manager Server 4.3, openSUSE Leap 15.5, and openSUSE Leap 15.6. Additionally, various service packs and cloud-hosted versions are also affected, including but not limited to SLES15-SP5-CHOST-BYOS-Aliyun, SLES15-SP6-CHOST-BYOS, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP5, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6.
Exploitation in the Wild
The exploitation of CVE-2024-10524 can manifest in several ways, leading to various types of attacks. One of the primary attack vectors is Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where an attacker can craft a URL that causes Wget to make requests to an arbitrary host. This could expose internal services that are not normally accessible from the outside. For example, if an application uses Wget to access a resource with user credentials, an attacker could manipulate the input to redirect the request to a malicious server.
Phishing attacks are another significant risk associated with this vulnerability. An attacker could exploit the flaw to trick a user into believing they are accessing a legitimate resource while actually redirecting them to a malicious site. For instance, a URL like
Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) attacks are also a concern, as an attacker could intercept communications between the user and a legitimate server, posing as the trusted entity while capturing sensitive information. Furthermore, data leakage could occur if an application provides error logs or other sensitive information, allowing an attacker to exploit this vulnerability to leak internal hostnames or other sensitive data.
APT Groups using this vulnerability
Currently, there are no specific Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups publicly associated with the exploitation of CVE-2024-10524. However, the nature of the vulnerability allows for various attack vectors, including phishing, SSRF, and MiTM attacks, which could be leveraged by opportunistic attackers. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any signs of exploitation, as the lack of known APT involvement does not diminish the risk posed by this vulnerability.
Affected Product Versions
The vulnerability affects all versions of Wget up to and including 1.24.5. Users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to Wget 1.25.0 or later to mitigate this risk. The affected product versions include openSUSE Tumbleweed, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP5, SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP6, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 5.5, SUSE Linux Enterprise Micro 6.0, SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3, SUSE Manager Server 4.3, openSUSE Leap 15.5, and openSUSE Leap 15.6. Additionally, various service packs and cloud-hosted versions are also affected, including but not limited to SLES15-SP5-CHOST-BYOS-Aliyun, SLES15-SP6-CHOST-BYOS, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP5, and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP6.
Workaround and Mitigation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-10524, users should take immediate action by upgrading to Wget 1.25.0 or later, which includes a fix for this vulnerability. Additionally, users should avoid using shorthand URLs with user input. Instead, it is recommended to convert all shorthand HTTP requests to their full format. For example, changing
Organizations should also conduct a thorough review of their applications that utilize Wget to ensure that they are not inadvertently exposing sensitive information or internal services. Implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual outbound requests can further enhance security posture against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
References
JFrog Security Blog: CVE-2024-10524 Wget Zero Day Vulnerability - https://jfrog.com/blog/cve-2024-10524-wget-zero-day-vulnerability/
SUSE Security Advisory: CVE-2024-10524 - https://www.suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2024-10524.html
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog - https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
MITRE CVE Details - https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-10524
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