CVE-2024-40446: Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability in Forkosh Mime Tex

Overview

In this post, we delve into a critical vulnerability, CVE-2024-40446, affecting the Forkosh Mime Tex software prior to version 1.77. This vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to execute arbitrary code via a carefully crafted script, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. Given the severity of this vulnerability, with a CVSS score of 9.8, it’s of paramount importance for administrators and users of the affected software to understand the nature of this vulnerability and take appropriate mitigation measures.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2024-40446
Severity: Critical (9.8)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System Compromise, Data Leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Forkosh Mime Tex | Before 1.77

How the Exploit Works

The CVE-2024-40446 vulnerability arises from an issue in the parsing mechanism of the Forkosh Mime Tex software. A malicious actor can craft a specific script, which when processed by the Mime Tex software, leads to arbitrary code execution. This happens due to improper sanitization of user input, which allows the attacker to inject malicious code into the input fields that are processed by the software.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a conceptual example of how this vulnerability might be exploited. An attacker might craft a POST request carrying the malicious payload. This is a conceptual representation and does not depict the exact code or payload used in an actual exploit.

POST /vulnerable/endpoint HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "malicious_payload": "Injected Code here" }

On receiving this request, the vulnerable Forkosh Mime Tex software would process the malicious payload, leading to the execution of the arbitrary code contained within it. This could lead to severe repercussions, including system compromise and data leakage.

Mitigation

The most effective mitigation against this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-supplied patch. Upgrading to Forkosh Mime Tex version 1.77 or later will rectify the flaw and prevent the potential for arbitrary code execution. For those unable to immediately apply the patch, a temporary mitigation would be the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS), configured to detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. However, it’s best to apply the patch as soon as feasible to ensure complete protection.