# CVE-2024-9486: VM images built with Image Builder and Proxmox provider use default credentials

> Attackers can gain root access to Kubernetes nodes if they use VM images built with the Proxmox provider that retain default credentials.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Oct 2024
- **Updated:** 16 Oct 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-9224-ggvw-wh7v, GO-2024-3203

## What is CVE-2024-9486?

CVE-2024-9486 is a critical vulnerability in Kubernetes Image Builder, published on 15 Oct 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A security issue was discovered in the Kubernetes Image Builder versions <= v0.1.37 where default credentials are enabled during the image build process. Virtual machine images built using the Proxmox provider do not disable these default credentials, and nodes using the resulting images may be accessible via these default credentials. The credentials can be used to gain root access. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if their nodes use VM images created via the Image Builder project with its Proxmox provider.

Weakness: CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-9486?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder` | Go | All versions | 0.1.38 |
| `github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder` | Go | All versions | 0.1.38 |
| `github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder` | Go | All versions | 0.1.38 |

Products: Kubernetes-Sigs Image Builder.

## How do I fix CVE-2024-9486?

Upgrade github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder to 0.1.38 or later.

## Is CVE-2024-9486 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-9486 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Kubernetes Image Builder

- [CVE-2024-9594](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9594/): VM images built with Image Builder with some providers use default credentials during builds (medium 6.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-9486 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-9486 is a critical vulnerability in Kubernetes Image Builder, published on 15 Oct 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-9486 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 0.1.38
- github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 0.1.38
- github.com/kubernetes-sigs/image-builder (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 0.1.38

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9486/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9486/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-9486
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9486
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-9486

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9486/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.