CVE-2024-2698: Incorrect Authorization
CVE-2024-2698 is a high-severity vulnerability in FreeIPA versions 4. 11. 0 and 4. 12. 0 related to incorrect authorization in the implementation of Microsoft Service-for-User (MS-SFU) Kerberos extensions. The flaw arises from improper handling of the "forwardable" flag on S4U2Self tickets and a logic error in the ipadb_match_acl() function, allowing S4U2Proxy requests to bypass delegation rules. This can lead to unauthorized delegation of user credentials, potentially enabling attackers to impersonate users and access sensitive resources. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8. 8, indicating critical impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability without requiring user interaction but needing some level of privileges. Although no known exploits are reported yet, the risk is significant for organizations relying on FreeIPA for identity and access management.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2024-2698 is a vulnerability discovered in FreeIPA versions 4.11.0 and 4.12.0 involving incorrect authorization logic in the handling of Kerberos constrained delegation, specifically related to the Microsoft Service-for-User (MS-SFU) extension implemented by MIT Kerberos. The issue stems from an incomplete condition in the initial MS-SFU implementation that failed to properly restrict the granting of the "forwardable" flag on S4U2Self tickets. The fix required adding a special case in the check_allowed_to_delegate() function to differentiate between general constrained delegation rule probes (when the target service argument is NULL) and specific S4U2Proxy requests. However, FreeIPA's adaptation of these changes introduced a logic error in the ipadb_match_acl() function, causing it to incorrectly accept S4U2Proxy requests regardless of whether a matching service delegation rule exists. This flaw effectively bypasses the intended delegation restrictions, allowing an attacker with some privileges to request delegation tickets improperly. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling unauthorized access and impersonation within Kerberos-authenticated environments. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the network attack vector, low complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on all security properties. No public exploits are known yet, but the vulnerability poses a serious risk to organizations using FreeIPA for centralized identity management and Kerberos delegation control.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-2698 can be substantial, especially those relying on FreeIPA for identity and access management in enterprise environments. The vulnerability allows attackers with limited privileges to bypass delegation restrictions, potentially enabling lateral movement, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. This can compromise confidentiality by exposing user credentials and sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized actions under delegated identities, and availability if attackers disrupt authentication services or escalate attacks. Organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the potential for data breaches and compliance violations. The vulnerability also undermines trust in Kerberos-based authentication, which is widely used in European enterprises, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation if weaponized. Although no known exploits exist yet, the high CVSS score and the nature of the flaw warrant immediate attention to prevent potential attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2024-2698, European organizations should promptly upgrade FreeIPA installations to versions beyond 4.12.0 where the vulnerability is fixed or apply vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. Until patches are deployed, administrators should audit and tighten Kerberos constrained delegation policies to minimize unnecessary delegation permissions, especially focusing on S4U2Proxy and S4U2Self ticket usage. Monitoring Kerberos ticket requests and delegation activities for anomalies can help detect exploitation attempts early. Implementing strict access controls and limiting privileged accounts that can request delegation tickets reduces the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should review and update their incident response plans to address potential Kerberos delegation abuse. Network segmentation and enhanced logging of authentication events can further contain and trace malicious activities. Coordination with identity management and security teams is essential to ensure comprehensive coverage of mitigation efforts.
Affected Countries
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Poland
CVE-2024-2698: Incorrect Authorization
Description
CVE-2024-2698 is a high-severity vulnerability in FreeIPA versions 4. 11. 0 and 4. 12. 0 related to incorrect authorization in the implementation of Microsoft Service-for-User (MS-SFU) Kerberos extensions. The flaw arises from improper handling of the "forwardable" flag on S4U2Self tickets and a logic error in the ipadb_match_acl() function, allowing S4U2Proxy requests to bypass delegation rules. This can lead to unauthorized delegation of user credentials, potentially enabling attackers to impersonate users and access sensitive resources. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 8. 8, indicating critical impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability without requiring user interaction but needing some level of privileges. Although no known exploits are reported yet, the risk is significant for organizations relying on FreeIPA for identity and access management.
AI-Powered Analysis
Technical Analysis
CVE-2024-2698 is a vulnerability discovered in FreeIPA versions 4.11.0 and 4.12.0 involving incorrect authorization logic in the handling of Kerberos constrained delegation, specifically related to the Microsoft Service-for-User (MS-SFU) extension implemented by MIT Kerberos. The issue stems from an incomplete condition in the initial MS-SFU implementation that failed to properly restrict the granting of the "forwardable" flag on S4U2Self tickets. The fix required adding a special case in the check_allowed_to_delegate() function to differentiate between general constrained delegation rule probes (when the target service argument is NULL) and specific S4U2Proxy requests. However, FreeIPA's adaptation of these changes introduced a logic error in the ipadb_match_acl() function, causing it to incorrectly accept S4U2Proxy requests regardless of whether a matching service delegation rule exists. This flaw effectively bypasses the intended delegation restrictions, allowing an attacker with some privileges to request delegation tickets improperly. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling unauthorized access and impersonation within Kerberos-authenticated environments. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the network attack vector, low complexity, required privileges, no user interaction, and high impact on all security properties. No public exploits are known yet, but the vulnerability poses a serious risk to organizations using FreeIPA for centralized identity management and Kerberos delegation control.
Potential Impact
For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-2698 can be substantial, especially those relying on FreeIPA for identity and access management in enterprise environments. The vulnerability allows attackers with limited privileges to bypass delegation restrictions, potentially enabling lateral movement, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. This can compromise confidentiality by exposing user credentials and sensitive information, integrity by allowing unauthorized actions under delegated identities, and availability if attackers disrupt authentication services or escalate attacks. Organizations in sectors with strict regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government are particularly at risk due to the potential for data breaches and compliance violations. The vulnerability also undermines trust in Kerberos-based authentication, which is widely used in European enterprises, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation if weaponized. Although no known exploits exist yet, the high CVSS score and the nature of the flaw warrant immediate attention to prevent potential attacks.
Mitigation Recommendations
To mitigate CVE-2024-2698, European organizations should promptly upgrade FreeIPA installations to versions beyond 4.12.0 where the vulnerability is fixed or apply vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. Until patches are deployed, administrators should audit and tighten Kerberos constrained delegation policies to minimize unnecessary delegation permissions, especially focusing on S4U2Proxy and S4U2Self ticket usage. Monitoring Kerberos ticket requests and delegation activities for anomalies can help detect exploitation attempts early. Implementing strict access controls and limiting privileged accounts that can request delegation tickets reduces the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should review and update their incident response plans to address potential Kerberos delegation abuse. Network segmentation and enhanced logging of authentication events can further contain and trace malicious activities. Coordination with identity management and security teams is essential to ensure comprehensive coverage of mitigation efforts.
Affected Countries
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Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.1
- Assigner Short Name
- redhat
- Date Reserved
- 2024-03-19T21:12:01.436Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 68e7a5cfba0e608b4f98d843
Added to database: 10/9/2025, 12:08:47 PM
Last enriched: 10/9/2025, 12:22:55 PM
Last updated: 10/9/2025, 3:26:43 PM
Views: 5
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