CVE-2024-38890 – This vulnerability allows a local attacker to b... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-38890?

CVE-2024-38890 has a CVSS score of 8.4 (HIGH). This vulnerability allows a local attacker to bypass authentication in Caterease Software by performing a capture-replay attack due to insufficient protection mechanisms. Attackers can replay captured authentication data to gain unauthorized access. Affected systems include Caterease Software versions 16.0.1.1663 through 24.0.1.2405 and possibly later versions.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows a local attacker to bypass authentication in Caterease Software by performing a capture-replay attack due to insufficient protection mechanisms. Attackers can replay captured authentication data to gain unauthorized access. Affected systems include Caterease Software versions 16.0.1.1663 through 24.0.1.2405 and possibly later versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Horizon Business Services Inc. Caterease Software

Versions: 16.0.1.1663 through 24.0.1.2405 and possibly later versions

Operating Systems: Windows (primary deployment platform for Caterease)

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism and is present in default configurations. Local network access to the Caterease system is required for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

Caterease by Horizoncloud

View all CVEs affecting Caterease →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system compromise where an attacker gains administrative access, potentially leading to data theft, manipulation of catering operations, financial fraud, or installation of persistent backdoors.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, event details, payment information, and business operations, potentially leading to data breaches and operational disruption.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation, strong authentication controls, and monitoring, though local attackers could still potentially bypass authentication.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW (This requires local access to the system, though if the software is exposed via web interface with local user accounts, risk increases)

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH (Local attackers on the same network or with physical access can exploit this vulnerability to bypass authentication)

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires local network access and involves capturing and replaying authentication data. The vulnerability is documented in public security databases with technical details.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Unknown

Vendor Advisory: Not available in provided references

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Contact Horizon Business Services Inc. for patch availability. 2. If patch is available, download from official vendor portal. 3. Apply patch following vendor instructions. 4. Test authentication functionality post-patch.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Restrict access to Caterease systems to only authorized users and networks

Enhanced Authentication Monitoring

all

Implement logging and alerting for repeated authentication attempts or unusual patterns

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network access controls to limit who can reach Caterease systems
Deploy additional authentication layers (2FA/MFA) if supported by the software

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Caterease Software version in Help > About menu. If version is between 16.0.1.1663 and 24.0.1.2405, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

Check via Caterease Software interface: Help > About

Verify Fix Applied:

After applying vendor patch, verify version is updated beyond 24.0.1.2405 and test authentication mechanisms for replay attack resistance.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Multiple authentication attempts from same source with similar timing patterns
Successful logins without proper credential submission
Authentication requests with identical or similar data patterns

Network Indicators:

Repeated authentication packets with identical payloads
Unusual authentication traffic patterns to Caterease ports

SIEM Query:

source="caterease_logs" AND (event_type="authentication" AND count() > threshold) OR (auth_data="repeated_pattern")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-38890

CVSS v3 Score: 8.4 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-294

Published: August 2, 2024

Last Updated: May 6, 2025

🔗 References

https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/179892/Caterease-Software-SQL-Injection-Command-Injection-Bypass.html Third Party Advisory
https://vuldb.com/?id.273374 Third Party Advisory,VDB Entry

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