CVE-2022-24842 is a vulnerability in MinIO, a high-performance, open-source object storage server widely used for cloud-native applications and private cloud storage solutions. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege management (CWE-269) that allows a non-administrative user to escalate their privileges to that of a root or admin user. Specifically, a non-admin user can create service accounts that inherit root or admin access policies by exploiting the flawed privilege checks. Once these service accounts are created, the attacker can assume their credentials and gain unrestricted access to the MinIO environment. This effectively bypasses the intended access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and administrative functions. The issue affects all MinIO versions prior to RELEASE.2022-04-12T06-55-35Z, where the vulnerability was fixed in pull request #14729. For users unable to upgrade immediately, a workaround involves explicitly denying the 'admin:CreateServiceAccount' permission via policy, but this also prevents legitimate users from creating service accounts, which may impact operational workflows. There are no known exploits in the wild reported to date, but the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the potential for privilege escalation and full administrative compromise. The flaw requires no user interaction beyond the initial access of a non-admin user account, and the exploitation is straightforward once such access is obtained. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling unauthorized data access, modification, and potential service disruption through administrative control.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-24842 can be substantial, especially for those relying on MinIO for critical data storage and cloud infrastructure. Unauthorized privilege escalation to root level can lead to full compromise of stored data, including sensitive personal, financial, or intellectual property information, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Integrity of data can be compromised by unauthorized modifications or deletions, and availability can be affected if attackers disrupt or disable storage services. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and technology, which often use object storage for large-scale data management, are particularly at risk. The ability for a non-admin user to gain root access also increases the risk of insider threats or exploitation by attackers who have gained limited initial access. This can lead to lateral movement within networks and further compromise of enterprise systems. The medium severity rating reflects the need for timely patching or mitigation to prevent privilege escalation and maintain compliance with European cybersecurity standards.

The primary mitigation is to upgrade MinIO installations to version RELEASE.2022-04-12T06-55-35Z or later, where the vulnerability is fully patched. For environments where immediate upgrading is not feasible, administrators should implement a restrictive policy explicitly denying the 'admin:CreateServiceAccount' permission to non-admin users. This prevents the creation of service accounts that could be used for privilege escalation but also restricts legitimate service account creation, so operational impact must be carefully managed. Additionally, organizations should audit existing service accounts and their associated policies to detect any unauthorized privilege escalations. Implementing strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and monitoring for anomalous account creation or usage patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Regularly reviewing and minimizing the number of users with admin privileges reduces the attack surface. Network segmentation and the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative access further mitigate risk. Finally, integrating MinIO logs with centralized security information and event management (SIEM) systems can enhance detection and response capabilities.