CISA recently added two critical vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-36971 and CVE-2024-32113, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog due to confirmed instances of active exploitation. CVE-2024-36971 targets the Android kernel and poses a remote code execution threat via a “use after free” vulnerability, which could allow attackers to gain system-level privileges. Given that the Android kernel is derived from a Linux Long Term Supported (LTS) kernel, this vulnerability represents a significant risk for Android-based systems, making immediate remediation a priority.
CVE-2024-32113, meanwhile, involves a path traversal vulnerability in Apache OFBiz, a popular enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool. Exploiting this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass directory restrictions, potentially accessing sensitive directories outside the intended paths. Apache OFBiz users operating versions earlier than 18.12.13 are urged to update to this latest release, which mitigates the issue. Without this update, users remain exposed to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
These vulnerabilities are serious concerns because of their impact on widely-used systems across federal and commercial environments. Path traversal flaws like those in Apache OFBiz are frequently exploited by attackers to gather unauthorized information or escalate privileges, while remote code execution vulnerabilities, like the Android Kernel flaw, allow for more severe system compromise. The combination of these vulnerabilities within critical software platforms significantly elevates the security risks across multiple sectors.
In response, CISA strongly advises immediate actions for mitigation, including updating to patched versions and implementing robust security measures to limit exposure. Users are also encouraged to follow best practices in network segmentation and restrict access to vulnerable systems. CISA continues to monitor these threats closely, reinforcing the importance of proactive security management for organizations relying on Android and Apache OFBiz platforms.
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