CVE-2024-1488: Unbound: unrestricted reconfiguration enabled to anyone that may lead to local privilege escalation
A vulnerability was found in Unbound due to incorrect default permissions, allowing any process outside the unbound group to modify the unbound runtime configuration. If a process can connect over localhost to port 8953, it can alter the configuration of unbound.service. This flaw allows an unprivileged attacker to manipulate a running instance, potentially altering forwarders, allowing them to track all queries forwarded by the local resolver, and, in some cases, disrupting resolving altogether.
Other sources
unbound allows by default not only members of unbound group to change any unbound runtime configuration, but any process able to connect over localhost to port 8953, can change configuration of unbound.service. Unbound is somehow powerful in what can be changed runtime. Different forwarders can be set, allowing unprivileged process to track all queries forwarder by local resolver and of course it can be configured in a way it stops resolving completely.
Introduced by commit https://src.fedoraproject.org/rpms/unbound/c/39b47dbaf1ebe59e71a0e4269a6bb62d3126ba7d https://src.fedoraproject.org/rpms/unbound/c/2cd0b94125f7cd88cdb777a8f546f3480bbd750a
— Red Hat
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
redhat/unbound 1.19.1to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2. - Upgrade
Upgrade
unboundto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Patch 2cd0b94125f7cd88cdb777a8f546f3480bbd750a - Upgrade
Upgrade
unboundto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Patch 39b47dbaf1ebe59e71a0e4269a6bb62d3126ba7d - Compensating control
Restrict access to Unbound runtime configuration interface on localhost port 8953 so only trusted processes/users can connect (since any process able to connect over localhost to port 8953 can alter the configuration of unbound.service).
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2024-1488?
CVE-2024-1488 has a medium severity due to its potential impact on system configuration.
How do I fix CVE-2024-1488?
To fix CVE-2024-1488, ensure the correct permissions are set for the unbound runtime configuration and update to the latest version of unbound.
What systems are impacted by CVE-2024-1488?
CVE-2024-1488 affects several versions of IBM QRadar SIEM and specific versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Can CVE-2024-1488 be exploited remotely?
CVE-2024-1488 can be exploited if an attacker has local access and can connect to unbound's service on localhost.
What is the nature of the vulnerability in CVE-2024-1488?
The vulnerability in CVE-2024-1488 arises from incorrect default permissions that allow unauthorized modifications to the unbound runtime configuration.