Aviatrix Controller Unauthenticated Remote Command Injection Vulnerability (CVE-2024-50603) Security Advisory
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTAviatrix Controller versions prior to 7.1.4191 and 7.2.x versions prior to 7.2.4996
Unauthenticated remote attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands with root privileges by injecting shell metacharacters, leading to complete system compromise
Immediately upgrade Aviatrix Controller to patched versions (7.1.4191, 7.2.4996 or higher) and restrict access to the management interface
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the official security updates immediately as recommended by the vendor. Upgrade the controller via the admin CLI or the user interface.
# Example command to trigger the controller upgrade via CLI
# (Ensure you are logged in with administrative privileges)
admin@aviatrix-controller:~$ upgrade_controller --version 7.2.49962. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching cannot be applied immediately, restrict access to the Aviatrix Controller's management interface using security groups or firewall rules to allow only trusted IP addresses.
# Restrict HTTPS access to a trusted management subnet (e.g., 192.168.10.0/24) using iptables
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s 192.168.10.0/24 --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Scan the web server access logs for suspicious API requests containing potential command injection payloads.
# Search access logs for flightpath API calls containing shell metacharacters
grep -E '/v1/api' /var/log/nginx/access.log | grep -E 'list_flightpath_destination_instances|flightpath_connection_test' | grep -E '[\;\|\&\`\$]'Stop Exposing VPN Ports to the Internet — Switch to Zero-Trust Access
Eliminate public-facing VPN concentrators and firewall management ports with identity-first Zero-Trust Network Access.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2024-50603) is a critical OS command injection vulnerability in the Aviatrix Controller API. The root cause lies in the improper neutralization of special elements within input parameters before passing them to system shell execution functions. Specifically, the cloud_type parameter in the list_flightpath_destination_instances API call and the src_cloud_type parameter in the flightpath_connection_test API call under /v1/api fail to sanitize shell metacharacters.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP POST request to the /v1/api endpoint. By embedding shell metacharacters (such as ';', '&', or '|') along with malicious payloads inside the cloud_type or src_cloud_type parameters, the attacker forces the underlying operating system to execute arbitrary commands. Because this endpoint does not require prior authentication, the attack can be executed remotely without any credentials.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
Aviatrix Controller acts as the centralized orchestrator for multi-cloud network infrastructures. A successful compromise of the Controller allows attackers to manipulate routing tables, intercept transit traffic, access connected cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), and pivot deeper into the enterprise network. Given its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog and an EPSS score of 0.9852, active exploitation attempts are highly prevalent in the wild.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
An issue was discovered in Aviatrix Controller before 7.1.4191 and 7.2.x before 7.2.4996. Due to the improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, an unauthenticated attacker is able to execute arbitrary code. Shell metacharacters can be sent to /v1/api in cloud_type for list_flightpath_destination_instances, or src_cloud_type for flightpath_connection_test.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2024-50603)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2024-50603 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2024-50603 is rated CVSS 9.8 (CRITICAL) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 98.5%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2024-50603?
Primary impacted vendors include aviatrix across controller. Scope summary: Aviatrix Controller versions prior to 7.1.4191 and 7.2.x versions prior to 7.2.4996
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2024-50603 before patching?
[Mitigation] Immediately upgrade Aviatrix Controller to patched versions (7.1.4191, 7.2.4996 or higher) and restrict access to the management interface Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2024-50603
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