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GitHub Enterprise Server Vulnerability CVE-2024-9487: Critical SAML SSO Flaw and Mitigation Strategies

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Executive Summary

In a significant development for cybersecurity, GitHub has addressed a critical vulnerability, CVE-2024-9487, in its Enterprise Server (GHES). This vulnerability, with a CVSS score of 9.5, underscores the high severity and potential risk it poses to organizations worldwide. The flaw, which affects all versions of GHES prior to 3.15, allows unauthorized access through improper verification of cryptographic signatures, specifically targeting the SAML single sign-on (SSO) authentication process. This report delves into the technical intricacies of the vulnerability, its potential exploitation, and the necessary mitigation strategies to safeguard enterprise environments.

Technical Information

The vulnerability CVE-2024-9487 arises from a regression linked to a previous flaw, CVE-2024-4985, and is characterized by improper verification of cryptographic signatures. This flaw permits attackers to bypass SAML SSO authentication when the optional encrypted assertions feature is enabled. The consequence is unauthorized provisioning of users and access to the GitHub Enterprise Server instance. The vulnerability affects all versions of GHES prior to 3.15, with fixed versions being 3.11.16, 3.12.10, 3.13.5, and 3.14.2. The critical nature of this vulnerability is highlighted by its CVSS score of 9.5, indicating a high potential for exploitation and significant impact on affected systems.

The vulnerability's exploitation involves leveraging the SAML SSO mechanism, which is widely used for identity management in enterprise environments. By bypassing this authentication process, attackers can gain unauthorized access, potentially leading to data breaches and other malicious activities. The improper verification of cryptographic signatures is a critical flaw that undermines the security of the SSO process, making it imperative for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.

Exploitation in the Wild

As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of CVE-2024-9487 being exploited in the wild. However, the critical nature of the vulnerability necessitates immediate action to prevent potential exploitation. Organizations are urged to update their systems to the latest patched versions to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

APT Groups using this vulnerability

Currently, there are no specific Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups associated with the exploitation of CVE-2024-9487. However, the vulnerability's potential to facilitate unauthorized access to enterprise environments makes it an attractive target for APT groups focused on gaining access to sensitive data and systems. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which are often targeted by APT groups, should be particularly vigilant in addressing this vulnerability.

Affected Product Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of GitHub Enterprise Server prior to 3.15. Organizations using versions 3.11.16, 3.12.10, 3.13.5, and 3.14.2 are advised to update to these fixed versions to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2024-9487.

Workaround and Mitigation

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2024-9487, organizations should immediately update their GitHub Enterprise Server instances to the latest patched versions: 3.11.16, 3.12.10, 3.13.5, or 3.14.2. Additionally, it is crucial to review SAML SSO configurations to ensure they are correctly implemented and monitored for any anomalies. Regularly reviewing access logs for unauthorized access attempts or unusual activities is also recommended to detect and respond to potential threats promptly.

References

For further information on CVE-2024-9487, please refer to the following resources: NVD Entry for CVE-2024-9487, GitHub Advisory, and SecurityWeek Article. Additional coverage can be found in The Hacker News Article and Cybersecurity News Coverage.

Rescana is here for you

At Rescana, we are committed to helping our customers navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity threats. Our Continuous Threat and Exposure Management (CTEM) platform is designed to provide comprehensive insights and proactive measures to safeguard your organization against vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-9487. Should you have any questions about this report or any other cybersecurity concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at ops@rescana.com. We are here to support you in maintaining a secure and resilient enterprise environment.

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