CVE-2024-37676
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-37676 is a memory corruption vulnerability in htop-dev htop version 2.20 that allows local attackers to trigger out-of-bounds memory access. This could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. Only users running htop v2.20 on systems where local attackers have access are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- htop-dev htop
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation leading to full system compromise via arbitrary code execution as the user running htop
Likely Case
Denial of service causing htop to crash, potentially disrupting system monitoring activities
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper privilege separation exists and htop runs with minimal privileges
🎯 Exploit Status
Proof of concept available on GitHub gist, requires local access and ability to run htop
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 2.21 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/htop-dev/htop
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check current htop version with 'htop --version'. 2. Update via package manager: 'sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade htop' (Debian/Ubuntu) or 'sudo yum update htop' (RHEL/CentOS). 3. Verify update with 'htop --version'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Remove htop execution permissions
linuxTemporarily remove execute permissions from htop binary to prevent exploitation
sudo chmod -x $(which htop)
Use alternative process monitor
linuxReplace htop with alternative system monitoring tools like top, glances, or btop
sudo apt install glances
sudo yum install glances
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict htop execution to trusted users only using file permissions or sudoers configuration
- Monitor for abnormal htop process behavior or crashes using system monitoring tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run 'htop --version' and check if output shows version 2.20Check Version:
htop --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Run 'htop --version' and confirm version is 2.21 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Segmentation fault errors in system logs related to htop
- Abnormal termination of htop process
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
process.name:htop AND (event.action:segfault OR event.action:crash)