CVE-2024-2497 Overview
CVE-2024-2497 is a code injection vulnerability in RaspAP raspap-webgui version 3.0.9. The flaw resides in the includes/provider.php file within the HTTP POST request handler. Attackers can manipulate the country parameter to inject arbitrary code, leading to remote code execution on the underlying host. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-94] Improper Control of Generation of Code. Public exploit details have been disclosed, and the vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts. RaspAP is a widely used web interface for configuring wireless access points on Raspberry Pi devices, making exposed instances a viable target for network-based intrusion.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with high privileges can achieve remote code execution on RaspAP hosts by injecting code through the country POST parameter processed by includes/provider.php.
Affected Products
- RaspAP raspap-webgui 3.0.9
- Deployments running the web GUI on Raspberry Pi and Linux hosts
- Any RaspAP instance exposing includes/provider.php to authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-15 - CVE-2024-2497 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-2497
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability affects the HTTP POST request handler in includes/provider.php. The handler processes the country argument submitted by users without sufficient input validation or sanitization. RaspAP is a PHP-based web interface, and improper handling of user-controlled input at this location allows attackers to inject PHP code that executes in the context of the web server process. Successful exploitation grants remote code execution, which on RaspAP deployments frequently equates to control over network configuration, wireless interfaces, and firewall rules. The associated VulnDB identifier is VDB-256919, and technical analysis is published in the Notion RCE Analysis on RaspAP.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper control of code generation ([CWE-94]) in includes/provider.php. The country argument flows into a code execution context without adequate validation, allowing attacker-controlled data to be interpreted as executable code rather than as data. RaspAP 3.0.9 did not enforce an allowlist or strict format check on the country value before processing.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs remotely over the network by sending a crafted HTTP POST request to the vulnerable endpoint. The attacker must be authenticated with high privileges within the RaspAP web GUI. Once authenticated, the attacker submits a POST body with a malicious country value that triggers code execution when the parameter is processed by provider.php. Refer to the Notion RCE Analysis on RaspAP and VulDB #256919 for exploitation specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-2497
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected POST requests to includes/provider.php containing non-standard characters or shell metacharacters in the country parameter.
- Web server child processes spawning shells such as /bin/sh, /bin/bash, or invoking wget, curl, or nc outside of normal RaspAP workflow.
- New or modified files under the RaspAP web root created by the web server user account.
- Outbound connections from the RaspAP host to unfamiliar external IP addresses following authentication events.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access and error logs for POST requests targeting /includes/provider.php with anomalous country values.
- Monitor process ancestry to identify PHP or Apache/Nginx workers spawning interactive shells or scripting interpreters.
- Apply file integrity monitoring to the RaspAP installation directory to detect unauthorized modifications.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on authentication events to the RaspAP GUI from unexpected source addresses or outside maintenance windows.
- Baseline outbound network traffic from RaspAP hosts and alert on deviations, particularly connections to non-RFC1918 destinations.
- Retain web server and shell audit logs for forensic reconstruction of injection attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-2497
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the RaspAP web GUI to trusted management networks only, using firewall rules or VPN gating.
- Rotate administrative credentials for the RaspAP interface and enforce strong, unique passwords.
- Review web server and system logs for prior exploitation attempts against includes/provider.php.
- Audit installed files and running processes on affected RaspAP hosts for evidence of unauthorized code execution.
Patch Information
The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond. No official patch was published in coordination with the CVE assignment. Administrators should monitor the RaspAP project for updated releases beyond 3.0.9 and upgrade to a fixed version once available. In the interim, apply compensating controls to limit exposure.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the includes/provider.php endpoint if it is not required for operational use.
- Place the RaspAP web GUI behind a reverse proxy that enforces strict input validation and rate limiting on POST parameters.
- Restrict RaspAP administrative accounts and avoid sharing high-privilege credentials across users.
- Isolate RaspAP hosts on a management VLAN with no direct internet exposure.
# Example: restrict RaspAP GUI to a management subnet using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
