CVE-2024-20946 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2024-20946, a vulnerability identified in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems, affecting version 11. The vulnerability poses a medium risk with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.5 and could allow a low privileged attacker to compromise Oracle Solaris.

Understanding CVE-2024-20946

CVE-2024-20946 is a vulnerability found in the Oracle Solaris product of Oracle Systems, specifically impacting version 11. It is categorized as an easily exploitable vulnerability that could potentially lead to unauthorized access to cause a hang or frequent crashes, resulting in a complete denial of service (DoS) of Oracle Solaris.

What is CVE-2024-20946?

The vulnerability in Oracle Solaris version 11 allows a low privileged attacker, who has logon access to the system, to compromise the Oracle Solaris infrastructure. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could grant the attacker the ability to initiate a complete DoS attack on Oracle Solaris.

The Impact of CVE-2024-20946

The impact of CVE-2024-20946 can be severe, as it enables unauthorized users to disrupt the availability of Oracle Solaris by causing frequent crashes or hangs. This could lead to service interruptions and potentially impact the overall stability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-20946

This section provides insights into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Oracle Solaris version 11, within the Kernel component, allows a low privileged attacker with logon access to compromise the system. The exploit could result in a denial of service by causing frequent crashes or hangs in Oracle Solaris.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected system by CVE-2024-20946 is the Oracle Solaris Operating System, specifically version 11. Users operating on this version are susceptible to the identified vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2024-20946 requires a low privileged attacker with logon access to the Oracle Solaris infrastructure. By leveraging this vulnerability, the attacker can disrupt the system's availability by initiating frequent crashes or hangs.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2024-20946, users are advised to take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should restrict access to the Oracle Solaris infrastructure, especially from low privileged accounts. Additionally, monitoring and analyzing system logs for suspicious activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access control measures, regular security audits, and employee training on cybersecurity best practices can strengthen the overall security posture of the Oracle Solaris environment.

Patching and Updates

Oracle Corporation may release patches or updates to address CVE-2024-20946. Users are encouraged to apply these patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure the security of their Oracle Solaris systems.