CVE-2024-37325 Overview
CVE-2024-37325 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting the Microsoft Azure Data Science Virtual Machine (DSVM) on Linux. Microsoft published the advisory on June 11, 2024. The flaw allows a network-based, unauthenticated attacker to gain higher privileges on the affected workload when specific conditions are met. The weakness is associated with information exposure [CWE-200], indicating that sensitive data accessible on the DSVM enables the privilege escalation path. Successful exploitation impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the targeted virtual machine.
Critical Impact
An unauthenticated attacker reaching the DSVM over the network can elevate privileges and fully compromise the data science workload, exposing models, datasets, and credentials stored on the host.
Affected Products
- Microsoft Azure Data Science Virtual Machine (Linux)
- DSVM images deployed from the Azure Marketplace prior to the June 2024 update
- Workloads built on the affected DSVM base image
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-11 - CVE-2024-37325 published to NVD
- 2024-06-11 - Microsoft releases Microsoft Security Update CVE-2024-37325
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-37325
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Linux build of the Azure Data Science Virtual Machine. The CWE-200 classification indicates that information accessible to an unauthenticated network actor enables an elevation of privilege path on the DSVM. Microsoft has not published low-level technical specifics, but the issue allows an attacker without prior credentials to obtain higher privileges on the affected instance once the exposed information is leveraged. The attack requires advanced conditions to be met, which is why exploitation is not considered trivial despite the network attack surface.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper exposure of sensitive information on the DSVM image [CWE-200]. The exposed data provides material that an attacker can use to authenticate or perform actions reserved for higher-privileged users. Because the DSVM ships preconfigured with data science frameworks, notebooks, and service endpoints, the attack surface includes both system services and the auxiliary tooling bundled in the image.
Attack Vector
An attacker reaches the DSVM over the network without prior authentication or user interaction. After harvesting the exposed information, the attacker uses it to elevate privileges on the same DSVM instance. A successful chain yields control over the operating system context running data science workloads, including access to mounted storage, secrets, and connected Azure resources.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Microsoft Security Update CVE-2024-37325 advisory for vendor guidance.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-37325
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected authentication events or new local accounts created on DSVM Linux hosts.
- Outbound connections from the DSVM to unfamiliar IP addresses, especially shortly after inbound probes to data science service ports.
- Modifications to /etc/sudoers, SSH authorized_keys, or systemd unit files on the DSVM.
- Access to credential files such as ~/.azure, ~/.ssh, or notebook configuration directories from non-interactive sessions.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Azure Activity Log and Microsoft Defender for Cloud alerts targeting the DSVM resource for privilege changes and suspicious sign-ins.
- Hunt for anomalous process lineage on DSVM hosts where Jupyter, RStudio, or notebook server processes spawn shells or privilege-changing binaries.
- Correlate network flow logs to identify unauthenticated inbound connections to DSVM management or notebook ports.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable Linux auditd rules for execve, setuid, and modifications to authentication files on the DSVM.
- Forward DSVM syslog and auditd telemetry to a centralized SIEM with retention sufficient for incident review.
- Alert on any change to the DSVM image baseline, including new packages, services, or scheduled tasks.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-37325
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Microsoft-provided update referenced in the MSRC advisory to all DSVM Linux instances.
- Redeploy DSVM workloads from the latest patched Azure Marketplace image rather than upgrading aged instances in place.
- Rotate credentials, SSH keys, and managed identity tokens that were accessible from affected DSVM hosts.
Patch Information
Microsoft addressed CVE-2024-37325 through an update to the Azure Data Science Virtual Machine for Linux. The fix is documented in Microsoft Security Update CVE-2024-37325. Customers should verify that newly deployed DSVM instances are based on the post-fix image and apply package updates on any long-running hosts.
Workarounds
- Restrict inbound network access to DSVM instances using Azure Network Security Groups, Azure Firewall, or Private Link until patching is complete.
- Disable or firewall any data science services on the DSVM that are not required for the workload.
- Place DSVM hosts behind a jump host or Azure Bastion and block direct public exposure to notebook and management ports.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
