CVE-2024-5401
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated remote users to escalate privileges without authorization in Synology DiskStation Manager and Unified Controller. Attackers with valid credentials can gain higher-level access than intended, potentially compromising the entire system. All users running affected versions of Synology DSM and DSMUC are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM)
- Synology Unified Controller (DSMUC)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker gains administrative privileges, leading to complete system compromise, data theft, ransomware deployment, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
An authenticated user with limited permissions escalates to administrator, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data and system configuration changes.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and network segmentation, impact is limited to the affected service, preventing lateral movement to other systems.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access; specific vectors are unspecified in advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: DSM 7.1.1-42962-8, DSM 7.2.1-69057-2, DSM 7.2.2-72806; DSMUC 3.1.4-23079
Vendor Advisory: https://www.synology.com/en-global/security/advisory/Synology_SA_24_27
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Log into DSM as administrator. 2. Go to Control Panel > Update & Restore. 3. Click 'Update DSM' and follow prompts. 4. Restart system when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict network access
allLimit access to DSM/DSMUC management interfaces to trusted IPs only.
Implement least privilege
allReview and minimize user permissions; remove unnecessary accounts.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems from critical networks using firewall rules.
- Implement multi-factor authentication and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check DSM version in Control Panel > Info Center > DSM version.Check Version:
cat /etc.defaults/VERSION | grep productversionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version matches or exceeds patched versions listed in advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual privilege escalation events in DSM logs
- Authentication logs showing users accessing admin functions unexpectedly
Network Indicators:
- Unusual API calls to WebAPI endpoints from authenticated users
SIEM Query:
source="dsm" AND (event_type="privilege_escalation" OR user_permission_change)