CVE-2024-27889: Arista NG Firewall SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2024-27889 Overview

CVE-2024-27889 identifies multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the reporting application of Arista Edge Threat Management - Arista NG Firewall (NGFW). An authenticated user with advanced report application access rights can inject malicious SQL statements through the reporting interface. Successful exploitation lets the attacker execute operating system commands with elevated privileges on the underlying host.

The issue is tracked under [CWE-89] and affects the Arista NG Firewall product line. The vulnerability requires network access and low-privileged authentication, yet yields full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can escalate from report-level access to command execution with elevated privileges on the firewall operating system.

Affected Products

Arista Edge Threat Management - Arista NG Firewall (NGFW)
Arista NG Firewall reporting application component
All versions prior to the fix documented in Arista Security Advisory #0093

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-04 - CVE-2024-27889 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27889

Vulnerability Analysis

The reporting application of Arista NG Firewall constructs SQL queries using user-controlled input without proper parameterization or sanitization. An authenticated user with advanced report application rights can inject SQL fragments into affected query parameters. Because the underlying database service runs with elevated privileges, injected statements can pivot from database interaction to operating system command execution.

This path collapses the boundary between application input and the host shell. The attacker does not need administrative credentials on the firewall itself; standard reporting access is sufficient. The result is full compromise of the NGFW appliance, which typically sits at the network perimeter and processes sensitive traffic.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. Input passed to reporting queries is concatenated into SQL strings rather than bound as parameters. Combined with a database service context capable of invoking OS-level functionality, this design flaw enables the escalation from injection to command execution.

Attack Vector

Exploitation proceeds over the network against the NG Firewall management interface. The attacker authenticates with an account that holds advanced report application access rights. Malicious payloads are supplied through report parameters, triggering SQL injection. The injected payload executes commands with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system, giving the attacker control of the firewall appliance.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the Arista Security Advisory #0093 for vendor-specific technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27889

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected shell processes, database utility invocations, or reverse-shell binaries spawned by the NG Firewall reporting service account.
Reporting application logs containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, ;, UNION, or xp_cmdshell-style constructs in report parameters.
New or modified accounts, cron jobs, or SSH keys on the NG Firewall appliance that do not correlate with administrator activity.
Outbound network connections from the firewall management interface to unfamiliar destinations shortly after report generation activity.

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server and application logs for anomalous parameter values submitted to reporting endpoints, especially by non-administrator accounts.
Correlate authenticated report activity with subsequent process creation events on the underlying operating system.
Monitor for privilege escalation patterns where a low-privileged report user's session precedes elevated command execution.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward NG Firewall audit logs, authentication events, and OS process telemetry to a centralized log platform for correlation.
Alert on any interactive shell activity originating from the reporting application service account.
Track lateral movement attempts from the firewall appliance to internal assets following reporting activity.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27889

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed version identified in Arista Security Advisory #0093 as soon as testing allows.
Audit all accounts holding advanced report application access rights and remove entitlements that are not operationally required.
Rotate credentials for any account with reporting privileges and review recent report application activity for anomalies.
Restrict network access to the NG Firewall management and reporting interfaces to trusted administrative networks only.

Patch Information

Arista has published remediation guidance in Arista Security Advisory #0093. Administrators should consult the advisory for the specific fixed release train applicable to their deployment and follow the documented upgrade path.

Workarounds

Limit reporting application access to a minimal set of trusted administrators until the patch is applied.
Place the NG Firewall management interface behind a jump host or VPN so that only authenticated administrators on trusted networks can reach the reporting endpoints.
Enable enhanced logging on the reporting application and forward events to a SIEM to accelerate identification of exploitation attempts.

bash

# Example: restrict management interface access at the network layer
# Replace <mgmt-iface>, <admin-subnet>, and <ngfw-mgmt-ip> with your values
iptables -A INPUT -i <mgmt-iface> -p tcp --dport 443 -s <admin-subnet> -d <ngfw-mgmt-ip> -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -i <mgmt-iface> -p tcp --dport 443 -d <ngfw-mgmt-ip> -j DROP