CVE-2024-33522

In vulnerable versions of Calico (v3.27.2 and below), Calico Enterprise (v3.19.0-1, v3.18.1, v3.17.3 and below), and Calico Cloud (v19.2.0 and below), an attacker who has local access to the Kubernetes node, can escalate their privileges by exploiting a vulnerability in the Calico CNI install binary. The issue arises from an incorrect SUID (Set User ID) bit configuration in the binary, combined with the ability to control the input binary, allowing an attacker to execute an arbitrary binary with elevated privileges.

The application assigns, modifies, tracks, or checks privileges incorrectly, allowing a user to gain elevated access. Typical impact: privilege escalation beyond the intended level.

CVE-2024-33522 has a CVSS score of 6.7 (High). The vector is requires local access, high privileges required, and no user interaction. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (3.26.5, 3.27.3); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.

Kodem intelligence

1. What is CVE-2024-33522? CVE-2024-33522 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in github.com/projectcalico/calico (go), affecting versions < 3.26.5. It is fixed in 3.26.5, 3.27.3. The application assigns, modifies, tracks, or checks privileges incorrectly, allowing a user to gain elevated access.
2. How severe is CVE-2024-33522? CVE-2024-33522 has a CVSS score of 6.7 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
3. Which versions of github.com/projectcalico/calico are affected by CVE-2024-33522? github.com/projectcalico/calico (go) versions < 3.26.5 is affected.
4. Is there a fix for CVE-2024-33522? Yes. CVE-2024-33522 is fixed in 3.26.5, 3.27.3. Upgrade to this version or later.
5. Is CVE-2024-33522 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-33522 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
6. What actually determines whether CVE-2024-33522 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
7. How do I fix CVE-2024-33522?
   • Upgrade github.com/projectcalico/calico to 3.26.5 or later
   • Upgrade github.com/projectcalico/calico to 3.27.3 or later