CVE-2024-32498 is a vulnerability discovered in OpenStack's block storage (Cinder), image service (Glance), and compute (Nova) components. The flaw arises from improper handling of QCOW2 (QEMU Copy-On-Write) image files that reference external data. Specifically, an authenticated attacker can craft a QCOW2 image containing references to arbitrary file paths on the server. When the system processes this image, it inadvertently reads and returns the contents of these referenced files, leading to unauthorized disclosure of potentially sensitive data stored on the server. This vulnerability affects all versions of Cinder up to 24.0.0 and Nova before 29.0.3. For Glance, only versions before 28.0.2 with image conversion enabled are vulnerable. The attack vector requires network access and valid credentials (privileged or otherwise) to upload or manipulate images but does not require user interaction beyond that. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties). The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity, primarily due to the high confidentiality impact (unauthorized data disclosure) but no impact on integrity or availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of this flaw in widely deployed OpenStack components makes it a significant concern for cloud environments relying on these services.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-32498 can be substantial, especially for those operating private or public clouds using OpenStack. Unauthorized file disclosure could expose sensitive customer data, internal configuration files, credentials, or other critical information, leading to privacy violations, compliance breaches (e.g., GDPR), and potential lateral movement by attackers. Since OpenStack is widely used in European public sector, research institutions, and enterprises for cloud infrastructure, the risk extends to critical infrastructure and sensitive workloads. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insiders or compromised accounts, but the ease of exploitation once authenticated increases risk. The lack of impact on integrity or availability means systems remain operational, but confidentiality breaches can undermine trust and lead to regulatory penalties. Organizations with image conversion enabled in Glance face additional risk. Overall, the vulnerability threatens confidentiality of data hosted on OpenStack clouds across Europe.

1. Apply vendor patches or upgrade OpenStack components to versions beyond Cinder 24.0.0, Glance 28.0.2, and Nova 29.0.3 as soon as they become available. 2. Until patches are applied, restrict access to image upload and conversion functionalities to trusted and minimal user sets, enforcing strict authentication and authorization controls. 3. Disable image conversion in Glance if not required, to reduce attack surface. 4. Implement rigorous monitoring and logging of image upload and processing activities to detect anomalous QCOW2 files or suspicious access patterns. 5. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to OpenStack management interfaces. 6. Conduct regular audits of file access permissions and review exposed files on OpenStack servers to identify any inadvertent disclosures. 7. Educate administrators and users about the risks of uploading untrusted or crafted images. 8. Consider deploying runtime security tools that can detect unusual file access during image processing. These measures combined will reduce the likelihood and impact of exploitation.