CVE-2024-12686 BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS): command or code injection
In plain words: The program treats text it receives as instructions instead of plain data. The attacker can run commands on the machine — often the whole device is taken over.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Feb 3, 2025
What to do
- Install BeyondTrust's security update for Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS). If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
- Patch anything in this catalog first, ahead of normal patch cycles.
- Put admin and file-transfer apps behind a VPN or single sign-on instead of the open internet.
Who is affected
Work IT. Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.
What's at risk: Mass data theft and ransomware: a single flaw in a file-transfer or email server has exposed thousands of organisations at once.
The details
- Official name
- BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) OS Command Injection Vulnerability
- Product
- BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS)
- CISA description
- BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS) contain an OS command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by an attacker with existing administrative privileges to upload a malicious file. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can allow a remote attacker to execute underlying operating system commands within the context of the site user.
- Type of flaw
- Command or code injection (CWE-78)
- Confirmed exploited
- Jan 13, 2025
- US federal patch deadline
- Feb 3, 2025
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Answering about CVE-2024-12686 ·
Questions about CVE-2024-12686
Is CVE-2024-12686 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2024-12686 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Jan 13, 2025, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2024-12686?
Install BeyondTrust's security update for Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS). If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Keep a list of every internet-facing server you run so nothing is forgotten.
Am I affected by CVE-2024-12686?
Only if you use BeyondTrust Privileged Remote Access (PRA) and Remote Support (RS). Aimed mostly at company systems — you are affected through the companies you use, not your own phone.