CVE-2024-38461 identifies a vulnerability in the irodsServerMonPerf component of iRODS versions prior to 4.3.2. The issue arises because the component attempts to proceed with operations on a filesystem path without verifying that the path is indeed a directory. This improper validation corresponds to CWE-754 (Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions). The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the integrity of data managed by iRODS by exploiting this path validation flaw. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N) indicates that the attack can be conducted remotely over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it impacts data integrity but not confidentiality or availability. The lack of authentication requirements and ease of exploitation make this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments relying on iRODS for critical data management. Although no public exploits have been reported, the potential for attackers to corrupt or alter data integrity could have serious consequences in scientific, academic, and enterprise data repositories. The vulnerability underscores the importance of rigorous input validation and secure filesystem handling in software components that manage critical data paths.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-38461 is on data integrity within affected iRODS deployments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can cause unauthorized modification or corruption of data by leveraging the improper path validation in irodsServerMonPerf. This can undermine trust in data accuracy and reliability, which is critical in scientific research, healthcare, finance, and other sectors relying on iRODS for data management. Since confidentiality and availability are not impacted, the threat is focused on the integrity dimension of security. The vulnerability’s remote exploitability without authentication or user interaction increases the attack surface, potentially allowing widespread exploitation if left unpatched. Organizations could face operational disruptions, erroneous data analysis outcomes, compliance violations, and reputational damage. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for remediation given the high CVSS score and ease of exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-38461, organizations should upgrade iRODS installations to version 4.3.2 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed. In environments where immediate upgrading is not feasible, implement strict input validation on filesystem paths used by irodsServerMonPerf to ensure they are directories before proceeding. Employ filesystem monitoring tools to detect anomalous access patterns or unauthorized modifications related to iRODS operations. Restrict network access to iRODS services to trusted hosts and networks to reduce exposure. Conduct regular integrity checks on critical data repositories to identify potential corruption early. Additionally, maintain up-to-date backups of data managed by iRODS to enable recovery in case of integrity compromise. Security teams should also monitor vulnerability advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploit activity related to this CVE.