CVE-2024-12831 is a vulnerability identified in Arista NG Firewall version 17.1.1, specifically within the uvm_login module. The root cause is an incorrect authorization check (CWE-863), which allows a local attacker who already has the ability to execute low-privileged code on the system to escalate their privileges. This escalation enables the attacker to access resources and perform actions typically restricted to higher-privileged users. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.6, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), with high impact on confidentiality (C:H), low impact on integrity (I:L), and low impact on availability (A:L). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability was reserved and published by the Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) under the identifier ZDI-CAN-24324. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for monitoring vendor advisories. This vulnerability is critical for organizations relying on Arista NG Firewall for network security, as privilege escalation can lead to unauthorized access and control over firewall functions.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12831 is unauthorized privilege escalation on affected Arista NG Firewall systems. An attacker who has already gained low-level code execution can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges, potentially compromising the confidentiality of sensitive firewall configurations and logs. This can lead to unauthorized changes in firewall policies, weakening network defenses and enabling further lateral movement within the network. The integrity of firewall operations may be partially compromised, as attackers could manipulate firewall rules or disable protections. Availability impact is low but possible if attackers disrupt firewall services. Organizations using this firewall in critical environments such as data centers, cloud infrastructures, or enterprise networks face increased risk of advanced persistent threats and insider attacks exploiting this vulnerability. The medium severity score reflects the need for timely remediation to prevent escalation from limited access to full administrative control.

1. Restrict local code execution: Implement strict access controls and monitoring to prevent unauthorized users from executing any code on the firewall system. 2. Apply principle of least privilege: Limit user and process privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the attack surface. 3. Monitor logs and alerts: Enable detailed logging on the NG Firewall and monitor for unusual privilege escalation attempts or suspicious activity within the uvm_login module. 4. Network segmentation: Isolate management interfaces and firewall control planes from general user networks to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 5. Vendor updates: Regularly check Arista’s security advisories and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available for version 17.1.1 or later. 6. Incident response readiness: Prepare to respond to potential exploitation by having forensic and recovery procedures in place. 7. Use multi-factor authentication and strong authentication mechanisms for firewall management to reduce risk if privilege escalation occurs. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on local privilege escalation vectors within firewall appliances.