Synology Patches Critical LDAP Vulnerability in DiskStation Manager (CVE-2024-10444)

Synology has recently addressed a critical vulnerability in its DiskStation Manager (DSM) software, specifically within its LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) functionalities. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-10444, could allow man-in-the-middle (MITM) attackers to intercept administrator credentials, potentially exposing sensitive administrative functions to malicious actors¹². The issue has been classified with a medium likelihood of exploitation but a high potential impact, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Synology’s NAS solutions³.

Key Points

• Vulnerability: CVE-2024-10444 in Synology DSM’s LDAP functionality.
• Risk: Medium likelihood, high impact.
• Exploitation: Man-in-the-middle attacks can intercept admin credentials.
• Affected Versions: DSM versions below 7.1.1-42962-8, 7.2.1-69057-7, and 7.2.2-72806-3.
• Solution: Synology has released updates to patch the vulnerability.

Technical Details of the Vulnerability

The vulnerability resides in the LDAP authentication module of Synology DSM. LDAP is a protocol used for accessing and managing directory information services, often employed in enterprise environments for user authentication. The flaw involves improper certificate validation, which allows attackers to exploit the system during the authentication process⁴.

How the Exploit Works

1. Man-in-the-Middle Attack: An attacker positioned between the client and the server can intercept LDAP traffic.
2. Credential Interception: Due to improper certificate validation, the attacker can capture administrator credentials during the authentication process.
3. Unauthorized Access: With these credentials, the attacker can gain administrative access to the DSM, potentially compromising sensitive data and system configurations.

Affected Versions

The vulnerability impacts the following DSM versions:

• DSM 7.1: Versions below 7.1.1-42962-8
• DSM 7.2.1: Versions below 7.2.1-69057-7
• DSM 7.2.2: Versions below 7.2.2-72806-3

Organizations running these versions are strongly advised to update their systems immediately⁵.

Relevance to Security Professionals

For Red Teams

• Exploitation Potential: Red teams can simulate MITM attacks to test the resilience of Synology DSM deployments in their environments.
• Proof of Concept: A Python script to simulate the attack could be developed to demonstrate the vulnerability.

# Example Proof of Concept (PoC) for MITM Attack on LDAP
import socket
import ssl

def intercept_ldap_traffic(target_ip, target_port):
    context = ssl.create_default_context()
    with socket.create_connection((target_ip, target_port)) as sock:
        with context.wrap_socket(sock, server_hostname=target_ip) as ssock:
            print("Intercepted LDAP traffic:", ssock.recv(1024))

For Blue Teams and SOC Analysts

• Detection: Monitor LDAP traffic for anomalies, such as unexpected certificate changes or unusual login attempts.
• Remediation: Ensure all Synology DSM systems are updated to the latest versions. Implement strict certificate validation policies.

For System Administrators

• Action Plan: Immediately apply the latest Synology DSM updates. Review LDAP configurations and enforce secure communication protocols like TLS.

Remediation Steps

1. Update DSM: Apply the latest patches from Synology. The updates can be downloaded from the official Synology Security Advisory page⁶.
2. Enforce TLS: Ensure all LDAP communications are encrypted using TLS to prevent interception.
3. Monitor Traffic: Use network monitoring tools to detect and block suspicious LDAP traffic.
4. Review Certificates: Regularly validate and update SSL/TLS certificates used in LDAP communications.

Conclusion

The discovery and patching of CVE-2024-10444 highlight the importance of robust certificate validation in secure communications. For organizations using Synology DSM, this vulnerability serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and proactive in applying security updates. By following the recommended remediation steps, security teams can mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability and protect their systems from potential exploitation.

References

1. NCSC Advisories
2. Cocoon
3. Signed-PGP – NCSC Advisories
4. Ben Ik Gehackt Check
5. AboutICT
6. Synology Security Advisory