Overview
CVE-2024-5401 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) and Synology Unified Controller (DSMUC). Specifically, it resides within the WebAPI component and allows remote authenticated users to potentially obtain elevated privileges without proper authorization. This vulnerability stems from improper control of dynamically-managed code resources.
The affected versions of Synology products include:
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 7.1.1-42962-8
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 7.2.1-69057-2
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 7.2.2-72806
- Synology Unified Controller (DSMUC) before 3.1.4-23079
Technical Details
The vulnerability arises due to the inadequate management of dynamically-managed code resources within the WebAPI component. While the exact attack vector remains unspecified in the initial advisory, the core issue involves the insufficient validation or sanitization of input used in the dynamic execution of code. This could potentially allow an attacker, having gained initial authenticated access, to inject malicious code that circumvents privilege restrictions and gains unauthorized control over system functions.
The lack of detailed public information necessitates further investigation and security analysis to fully understand the exploitable pathways. Security researchers are encouraged to analyze the impacted versions to identify the specific code paths involved.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) assigns CVE-2024-5401 a score of 4.3 (Medium). This score indicates a moderate level of risk. The CVSS vector likely considers factors such as the requirement for authentication, the potential for limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the potential for a privileged user to exploit the vulnerability.
While the CVSS score is classified as medium, it’s crucial to understand that even seemingly moderate vulnerabilities can be chained together with other exploits to create more severe attacks.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2024-5401 could have several significant impacts:
- Privilege Escalation: An authenticated user could gain higher-level privileges than intended, potentially reaching administrator or root access.
- Data Breach: With elevated privileges, an attacker could access sensitive data stored on the Synology device.
- System Compromise: Gaining control over the system allows the attacker to install malware, modify system settings, or disrupt services.
- Lateral Movement: If the compromised Synology device is connected to a network, the attacker could potentially use it as a stepping stone to access other systems.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The recommended mitigation is to update your Synology DSM or DSMUC to the latest version that includes the fix for CVE-2024-5401. Specifically, ensure you are running:
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.1.1-42962-8 or later
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2.1-69057-2 or later
- Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) 7.2.2-72806 or later
- Synology Unified Controller (DSMUC) 3.1.4-23079 or later
To update your Synology device:
- Log in to your Synology DSM or DSMUC.
- Go to Control Panel > Update & Restore.
- Download and install the latest DSM/DSMUC version.
In addition to applying the patch, it’s always a good practice to follow security best practices, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing system logs for suspicious activity.
