# GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5: Constellation allows Emergency shell access during initramfs boot phase

> An attacker with serial console access can force a boot failure to gain root control via an emergency shell in Constellation.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 9 Mar 2023
- **Also known as:** GO-2023-1622

## What is GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5?

GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in github.com/edgelesssys/constellation, published on 9 Mar 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

### Impact

An active attacker could let the boot fail on purpose in the initramfs, dropping the serial console into an emergency shell. This gives attackers with access to the serial console full control over the VM.

### Patches

The issue has been patched in [v2.6.0](https://github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/releases/tag/v2.6.0).

### Workarounds

none

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5?

4 open source packages ship an affected version, including github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2 and github.com/edgelesssys/constellation.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2` | Go | All versions | 2.6.0 |
| `github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2` | Go | All versions | 2.6.0 |
| `github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2` | Go | All versions | 2.6.0 |
| `github.com/edgelesssys/constellation` | Go | All versions | None |

## How do I fix GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5?

Upgrade github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2 to 2.6.0 or later.

## Is GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in github.com/edgelesssys/constellation, published on 9 Mar 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2 (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 2.6.0
- github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2 (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 2.6.0
- github.com/edgelesssys/constellation/v2 (Go): affected all versions; fixed in 2.6.0
- github.com/edgelesssys/constellation (Go): affected all versions; no fix listed

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/GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-6w5f-5wgr-qjg5/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.