CVE-2024-28830

What it actually does

Automation user credentials are inadvertently written into audit log files that are readable by users with administrative privileges.

Why it matters to the business

Administrators gain unintended access to automation secrets, which could enable lateral movement or unauthorized system actions if those credentials are reused elsewhere; low overall urgency given stable low exploit probability and lack of known active campaigns.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker who already possesses administrative access inspects the audit logs to retrieve automation user secrets that were logged in plaintext, then uses those secrets to perform further actions within the monitored environment.

How to fix it

Upgrade to Checkmk versions 2.3.0p7 or newer, 2.2.0p28 or newer, 2.1.0p45 or newer, or apply the corresponding patch for the 2.0.0 series if still in use; restrict log file access to the minimum required personnel until the update is complete.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify the installed Checkmk version is at or above the fixed releases listed in the advisory; search audit logs for entries containing automation user credentials and confirm such entries are no longer generated after the update.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain administrative access to the Checkmk instance
2. Locate and read the audit log files containing the leaked automation secrets
3. Extract the secrets and authenticate as the automation user
4. Perform actions using the compromised automation credentials

How to detect it

Examine audit log files for entries that include automation user credentials or patterns consistent with secret leakage; correlate with administrator access events to the log storage location.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching systems that expose audit logs to multiple administrators
• Review current log retention and access controls around audit files
• Rotate any automation user secrets that may have been exposed in existing logs