CVE-2024-39848
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authentication bypass in Internet2 Grouper when LDAP authentication is configured in certain ways, potentially enabling unauthorized access to administrative functions. It affects Grouper versions before 5.6 and Grouper for Web Services before 4.13.1. Organizations using these versions with LDAP authentication are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Internet2 Grouper
- Grouper for Web Services
⚠️ 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
Complete system compromise allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges, modify user permissions, access sensitive data, and potentially pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to Grouper management functions, privilege escalation, and potential data exposure of group membership and access control information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, monitoring, and access controls are in place to detect and contain unauthorized access attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability appears to involve specific hardcoded credentials (UyY29r password for M3vwHr account) that could be used for authentication bypass.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Grouper 5.6, Grouper for Web Services 4.13.1
Vendor Advisory: https://spaces.at.internet2.edu/display/Grouper/Grouper+bug+-+GRP-5515+-+web+services+LDAP+authentication+security+vulnerability
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Grouper 5.6 or Grouper for Web Services 4.13.1 from official sources. 2. Backup current configuration and data. 3. Stop Grouper services. 4. Apply the update. 5. Restart services and verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable LDAP Authentication
allTemporarily disable LDAP authentication for web services if not required, or switch to alternative authentication methods.
Network Access Control
allRestrict access to Grouper web services to only trusted networks and IP addresses using firewall rules.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate Grouper instances from untrusted networks
- Enable detailed authentication logging and implement real-time monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Grouper version: If using Grouper <5.6 or Grouper for Web Services <4.13.1 with LDAP authentication configured, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check Grouper version in web interface or configuration files. For command line: grep -i version /path/to/grouper/config/files or check application logs.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 5.6 or higher for Grouper, or 4.13.1 or higher for Grouper for Web Services. Test LDAP authentication functionality.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful authentication with unusual patterns
- Authentication attempts using the M3vwHr account
- Unexpected privilege escalation events
- Access to administrative functions from unauthorized users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual authentication traffic patterns to Grouper web services
- Authentication requests bypassing normal flow
SIEM Query:
source="grouper.log" AND ("authentication failure" OR "M3vwHr" OR "UyY29r" OR "privilege escalation")