high CVSS 7.8

CVE-2024-48991·Python vulnerability

Qualys discovered that needrestart, before version 3.8, allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code as root by winning a race condition and tricking needrestart into running their own, fake Python interpreter (instead of the system's real Python interpreter). The initial security fix (6ce6136) introduced a regression which was subsequently resolved (42af5d3).

Severity
high
Software
Python
Fixed in
3.8
Published
2024-11-19

Affected versions

Until: 3.8

Fixed in: 3.8

How to fix this CVE

Update needrestart to version 3.8 or later to eliminate a local privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. This vulnerability stems from a race condition in how needrestart spawns Python interpreters. Apply the patch immediately on all systems where needrestart is installed, particularly on multi-user or shared hosting environments.

sudo dnf update needrestart

Defensia detects this vulnerability

How to check if you are affected

  1. Step 1: Check the installed version of needrestart with: needrestart -v
  2. Step 2: Verify if needrestart is running as a service or scheduled task: systemctl status needrestart || crontab -l | grep needrestart
  3. Step 3: Review /var/log/auth.log (Debian/Ubuntu) or /var/log/secure (RHEL/CentOS) for suspicious sudo execution or unexpected Python process spawning from needrestart
  4. Step 4: Confirm the patch is applied by running needrestart -v again and verifying the version is 3.8 or higher

FAQ

What is CVE-2024-48991?

CVE-2024-48991 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in needrestart versions before 3.8 where local users can exploit a race condition to inject a malicious Python interpreter and gain root-level code execution. The vulnerability affects how needrestart locates and executes system Python binaries.

Is CVE-2024-48991 being actively exploited?

No, according to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, CVE-2024-48991 is not currently being actively exploited in the wild, and no public proof-of-concept code is available.

What versions of needrestart are affected by CVE-2024-48991?

All versions of needrestart prior to version 3.8 are vulnerable. Version 3.8 and later include the security patch that closes the race condition.

How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-48991?

Run 'needrestart -v' to display the installed version. If the version is below 3.8, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.

Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-48991?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If needrestart is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-48991 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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