Root code execution via injected leftupdown directive
Published Oct 22, 2024 · Updated Jun 25, 2026
Code injection in NetworkManager-libreswan before 1.2.24 allows local users to execute arbitrary programs as root through VPN activation. The plugin writes newline-bearing VPN values directly into ipsec.conf, turning an embedded leftupdown directive into an executable callback. An unprivileged user must be permitted by Polkit to create and activate a malicious VPN connection; successful exploitation grants root code execution.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in NetworkManager-libreswan before 1.2.24 allows local users to execute arbitrary programs as root through VPN activation. The plugin writes newline-bearing VPN values directly into ipsec.conf, turning an embedded leftupdown directive into an executable callback. An unprivileged user must be permitted by Polkit to create and activate a malicious VPN connection; successful exploitation grants root code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-9050
- Published
- Oct 22, 2024
- Updated
- Jun 25, 2026
- Vendor
- Red Hat
- Product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Telecommunications Update Service
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 22, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- oss-security newline-injection proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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