CVE-2024-41148
📋 TL;DR
This CVE allows local users to execute arbitrary Python code through the ROS rostopic command's 'hz' verb filter option. The vulnerability affects ROS Noetic Ninjemys and earlier distributions where the eval() function processes unsanitized user input. Attackers with local access can exploit this to gain unauthorized code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Robot Operating System (ROS)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with privilege escalation, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive ROS data and system resources
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict local user privileges and command execution
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but is straightforward once access is obtained
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: ROS Noetic end-of-life - upgrade to ROS 2 recommended
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ros.org/blog/noetic-eol/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Upgrade to ROS 2 (recommended)
2. Apply any available security patches for ROS Noetic
3. Remove or restrict access to vulnerable rostopic command
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict rostopic command access
linuxRemove execute permissions or restrict access to rostopic command for non-privileged users
sudo chmod 750 /opt/ros/noetic/bin/rostopic
sudo chown root:ros-users /opt/ros/noetic/bin/rostopic
Disable filter option
linuxCreate wrapper script that strips --filter option from rostopic calls
Create script that intercepts rostopic calls and removes --filter parameter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
- Monitor for suspicious rostopic command usage with --filter option
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if rostopic command exists and test with --filter option using safe expressionCheck Version:
rosversion -dVerify Fix Applied:
Verify rostopic command permissions are restricted or test that --filter option is blocked📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual rostopic command executions with --filter option
- Python eval() errors in system logs
- Suspicious process spawns from rostopic
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Process execution where command contains 'rostopic' AND command contains '--filter'