CVE-2024-8975
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local Windows users to escalate privileges to SYSTEM by exploiting an unquoted search path in Grafana Alloy. It affects Windows installations of Grafana Alloy versions before 1.3.3 and between 1.4.0-rc.0 and 1.4.0-rc.1. Attackers with local access can execute arbitrary code with highest system privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Grafana Alloy
📦 What is this software?
Alloy by Grafana
Alloy by Grafana
Alloy by Grafana
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attacker gains full SYSTEM privileges, enabling complete system compromise, data theft, persistence installation, and lateral movement across the network.
Likely Case
Malicious local user or malware escalates to SYSTEM to bypass security controls, install backdoors, or access sensitive system resources.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and patching, impact is limited to denial of service if service is restarted, but privilege escalation is prevented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but is straightforward once access is obtained. Unquoted search path vulnerabilities are well-understood and easily weaponized.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.4 or 1.4.1
Vendor Advisory: https://grafana.com/security/security-advisories/cve-2024-8975/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Stop Grafana Alloy service. 2. Backup configuration files. 3. Download and install version 1.3.4 or 1.4.1 from official Grafana releases. 4. Restart the service. 5. Verify the new version is running.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local user access
windowsLimit local user accounts and implement least privilege to reduce attack surface
Monitor service execution
windowsImplement application whitelisting and monitor for unauthorized service modifications
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local users from accessing affected systems
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Grafana Alloy version on Windows systems: if version is <1.3.3 or between 1.4.0-rc.0 and 1.4.0-rc.1, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
alloy --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Grafana Alloy version is 1.3.4 or 1.4.1 or higher using the version check command.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected service restarts
- Unauthorized privilege escalation events in Windows Security logs
- Execution of binaries from unusual paths
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from SYSTEM context following local user activity
SIEM Query:
EventID=4688 AND NewProcessName="*alloy*" AND SubjectUserName!="SYSTEM" AND ParentProcessName="services.exe"🔗 References
- https://github.com/grafana/alloy/releases/tag/v1.3.4
- https://github.com/grafana/alloy/releases/tag/v1.4.1
- https://grafana.com/blog/2024/09/25/grafana-alloy-and-grafana-agent-flow-security-release-high-severity-fix-for-cve-2024-8975-and-cve-2024-8996/
- https://grafana.com/security/security-advisories/cve-2024-8975/
