CVE-2024-20667 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Microsoft Azure DevOps Server 2022, specifically version 20231128.1. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-77, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, commonly known as command injection. This flaw allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server remotely. The vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly sanitize or neutralize special characters or input elements that are incorporated into system commands. As a result, an attacker with low privileges but no user interaction can exploit this vulnerability over the network (AV:N, PR:L, UI:N), potentially leading to full compromise of the server. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.5, indicating a high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The attack complexity is high (AC:H), meaning exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge, but no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability is particularly critical because Azure DevOps Server is widely used for software development lifecycle management, including source code repositories, build pipelines, and deployment automation. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, manipulate source code, disrupt build processes, or deploy malicious artifacts, severely impacting organizational operations and security posture.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-20667 could be significant due to the widespread adoption of Azure DevOps Server in enterprise environments for software development and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into software builds, compromise intellectual property, disrupt development workflows, and cause service outages. This can result in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues, especially under stringent data protection laws like GDPR. Additionally, compromised build environments could be leveraged to distribute malware or ransomware, amplifying the threat. The high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts mean that sensitive data and critical development infrastructure could be exposed or destroyed. Given the remote exploitability without user interaction, attackers could target vulnerable servers across European organizations, including government agencies, financial institutions, and technology companies, which rely heavily on Azure DevOps for their development operations.

To mitigate CVE-2024-20667, European organizations should immediately verify their Azure DevOps Server version and apply any available security patches or updates from Microsoft as soon as they are released. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor Microsoft’s official security advisories and update channels closely. In the interim, restrict network access to Azure DevOps Server instances by implementing strict firewall rules and network segmentation to limit exposure to trusted IP addresses only. Employ application-layer firewalls or intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to detect and block suspicious command injection attempts. Review and harden server configurations, disable unnecessary services, and enforce the principle of least privilege for all accounts interacting with the server. Additionally, conduct thorough code and pipeline audits to detect any unauthorized changes or suspicious activities. Implement robust logging and monitoring to quickly identify exploitation attempts. Finally, educate development and security teams about the risks of command injection and ensure secure coding practices are followed to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom extensions or integrations.