CVE-2024-41184 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the keepalived software, specifically within the vrrp_ipsets_handler function located in the fglobal_parser.c source file. Keepalived is widely used for providing high availability and load balancing through VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol). The vulnerability is an integer overflow (CWE-190) that occurs when the software processes an empty ipset name configured by the user. This integer overflow can lead to memory corruption, which attackers could exploit to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service, or otherwise compromise the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting the vulnerability’s ease of exploitation (network vector, no privileges or user interaction required) and its severe impact. However, exploitation requires a specific condition: the user must configure an empty ipset name, which is not a default or common configuration, potentially limiting the attack surface. Despite this, the vulnerability poses a significant risk in environments where keepalived is deployed and misconfigured. No public exploits or patches have been reported at the time of publication, but the critical severity demands immediate attention from system administrators. The vulnerability affects keepalived versions through 2.3.1, and organizations should monitor vendor advisories for patches and updates.

The impact of CVE-2024-41184 is severe due to the potential for remote, unauthenticated attackers to exploit the integer overflow and cause arbitrary code execution or denial of service. This could lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of network services, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Organizations relying on keepalived for critical network infrastructure, such as load balancing and failover in data centers, cloud environments, and enterprise networks, face significant operational risks. The vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt high availability configurations, causing downtime and impacting business continuity. Given the critical CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, the threat extends to any organization using vulnerable versions of keepalived, especially those with internet-facing VRRP configurations or exposed management interfaces. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for remediation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-41184, organizations should immediately audit their keepalived configurations to ensure no empty ipset names are set, as this is the prerequisite for exploitation. Administrators should enforce strict validation of ipset names and avoid any configurations that could trigger the integer overflow. Monitoring and logging VRRP and keepalived activity can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. Since no official patches are currently linked, organizations should track vendor advisories closely and apply updates as soon as they become available. As a proactive measure, consider isolating keepalived instances from untrusted networks and restricting access to management interfaces. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of VRRP services. Additionally, conducting vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on keepalived configurations can identify potential weaknesses. Finally, maintain regular backups and incident response plans to minimize impact in case of successful exploitation.