CVE-2024-10441: Synology BeeStation OS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-10441 Overview

CVE-2024-10441 is a critical improper encoding or escaping of output vulnerability affecting the system plugin daemon in Synology BeeStation OS (BSM) and Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM). This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems via unspecified vectors, potentially resulting in complete system compromise without requiring authentication or user interaction.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote code execution on Synology NAS devices, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over storage systems containing sensitive data.

Affected Products

• Synology BeeStation OS (BSM) before version 1.1-65374
• Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before version 7.2-64570-4
• Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before version 7.2.1-69057-6
• Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before version 7.2.2-72806-1

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-03-19 - CVE-2024-10441 published to NVD
• 2025-11-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-10441

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-116 (Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output), which occurs when software constructs output using user-controlled data without properly sanitizing or encoding that output. In the context of the Synology system plugin daemon, this flaw enables attackers to inject malicious content that bypasses the expected output encoding, ultimately leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system.

The system plugin daemon is a core component of both BeeStation OS and DiskStation Manager that handles plugin management and system operations. When the daemon processes certain input, it fails to properly encode or escape output before passing it to subsequent processing stages. This improper handling creates an injection point that remote attackers can exploit to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the daemon process.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-10441 lies in insufficient output encoding within the system plugin daemon. When the daemon generates output based on external input, it does not adequately escape or encode special characters and sequences. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that, when processed and output by the daemon, results in the execution of attacker-controlled code. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in following secure coding practices for output handling, particularly in contexts where output may be interpreted as executable instructions.

Attack Vector

This vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. An attacker can target internet-exposed Synology NAS devices running vulnerable versions of BeeStation OS or DiskStation Manager. The attack involves sending specially crafted requests to the system plugin daemon that exploit the improper output encoding to inject and execute arbitrary code. Given that many Synology NAS devices are accessible over the internet for remote file access and management, the attack surface for this vulnerability is significant.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-10441

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected processes spawned by the system plugin daemon or running with elevated privileges
• Anomalous network connections originating from the NAS device to unknown external IP addresses
• Unusual file system modifications, particularly in system directories or creation of new executables
• Unexpected scheduled tasks or cron jobs created on the system
• Log entries indicating failed or suspicious access attempts to the system plugin daemon

Detection Strategies

• Monitor system plugin daemon process activity for unusual child process creation or command execution
• Deploy network-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) with rules to detect exploitation attempts targeting Synology devices
• Review NAS system logs for anomalous authentication patterns or access to administrative interfaces
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical system directories to detect unauthorized modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on Synology devices and forward logs to a centralized SIEM solution
• Configure alerts for any remote administrative access from unexpected IP ranges
• Monitor for firmware or system package changes outside of scheduled maintenance windows
• Track outbound network connections from NAS devices to identify potential command-and-control communications

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-10441

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Synology BeeStation OS to version 1.1-65374 or later immediately
• Update Synology DiskStation Manager to version 7.2-64570-4, 7.2.1-69057-6, 7.2.2-72806-1, or later depending on your DSM branch
• Restrict network access to Synology devices to trusted IP ranges only until patching is complete
• Disable remote access features if not required for business operations
• Review system logs for any indicators of exploitation prior to patching

Patch Information

Synology has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should apply the appropriate updates based on their current software versions:

• BeeStation OS: Update to version 1.1-65374 or later
• DSM 7.2: Update to version 7.2-64570-4 or later
• DSM 7.2.1: Update to version 7.2.1-69057-6 or later
• DSM 7.2.2: Update to version 7.2.2-72806-1 or later

For detailed patch information, refer to Synology Security Advisory SA-24-20 and Synology Security Advisory SA-24-23.

Workarounds

• Place Synology NAS devices behind a firewall or VPN and restrict direct internet exposure
• Implement network segmentation to isolate NAS devices from critical infrastructure
• Disable QuickConnect and other remote access features until patches can be applied
• Configure access control lists to limit connections to the management interface from trusted networks only
• Enable Synology's built-in firewall with strict rules allowing only essential services

# Example: Configure Synology firewall via CLI to restrict access
# Access SSH on Synology and run:
synoservice --restart pkgctl-SynoFinder
# Verify system plugin daemon status
synopkg status
# Check for available updates
synopkg update