# CVE-2024-9594: VM images built with Image Builder with some providers use default credentials during builds

> Attackers with network access to the build VM can use default credentials to gain root access and modify the image during the build process.

- **Severity:** Medium 6.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 15 Oct 2024
- **Updated:** 16 Oct 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8jpg-62jc-hwhr, GO-2024-3204

## What is CVE-2024-9594?

CVE-2024-9594 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Kubernetes Image Builder, published on 15 Oct 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### 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 when using the Nutanix, OVA, QEMU or raw providers. The credentials can be used to gain root access. The credentials are disabled at the conclusion of the image build process. Kubernetes clusters are only affected if their nodes use VM images created via the Image Builder project. Because these images were vulnerable during the image build process, they are affected only if an attacker was able to reach the VM where the image build was happening and used the vulnerability to modify the image at the time the image build was occurring.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-9594?

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-2024-9594?

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

## Is CVE-2024-9594 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-9594 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Kubernetes Image Builder

- [CVE-2024-9486](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9486/): VM images built with Image Builder and Proxmox provider use default credentials (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-9594 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-9594 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Kubernetes Image Builder, published on 15 Oct 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-9594 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-2024-9594/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9594/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-9594
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-9594
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-9594

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9594/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.