Read the docs
TI-2024-29027 Aliases CVE-2024-43378

calamares-nixos-extensions LUKS keyfile exposure regression on legacy BIOS systems

Priority LOW 35CWE-256Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Information disclosure
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-256.

Summary

calamares-nixos-extensions provides Calamares branding and modules for NixOS, a distribution of GNU/Linux. Users who installed NixOS through the graphical installer who used manual disk partitioning to create a setup where the system was booted via legacy BIOS rather than UEFI; some disk partitions are encrypted; but the partitions containing either `/` or `/boot` are unencrypted; have their LUKS disk encryption key file in plain text either in `/crypto_keyfile.bin`, or in a CPIO archive attached to their NixOS initrd. `nixos-install` is not affected, nor are UEFI installations, nor was the default automatic partitioning configuration on legacy BIOS systems. The problem has been fixed in calamares-nixos-extensions 0.3.17, which was included in NixOS. The current installer images for the NixOS 24.05 and unstable (24.11) channels are unaffected. The fix reached 24.05 at 2024-08-13 20:06:59 UTC, and unstable at 2024-08-15 09:00:20 UTC. Installer images downloaded before those times may be vulnerable. The best solution for affected users is probably to back up their data and do a complete reinstallation. However, the mitigation procedure in GHSA-3rvf-24q2-24ww should work solely for the case where `/` is encrypted but `/boot` is not. If `/` is unencrypted, then the `/crypto_keyfile.bin` file will need to be deleted in addition to the remediation steps in the previous advisory. This issue is a partial regression of CVE-2023-36476 / GHSA-3rvf-24q2-24ww, which was more severe as it applied to the default configuration on BIOS systems.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00131 2nd percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed calamares-nixos-extensions (NixOS): 0.3.17

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
NixOScalamares-nixos-extensionsbefore 0.3.170.3.17Patch availableCNA
  • calamares-nixos-extensions VendorNixOS Affected before 0.3.17 Fixed in 0.3.17 Patch available CNA

CPE names CISA-ADP · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:nixos:calamares-nixos-extensions:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*——NixOS
  • cpe:2.3:a:nixos:calamares-nixos-extensions:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions — — ·NixOS

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA calamares-nixos-extensions (NixOS) Fixed in 0.3.17

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-43378

References

  • TI-2026-23989 crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-place KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2024-11208 Rsync: heap buffer overflow in rsync due to improper checksum length handling CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2026-19201 Tandoor Recipes module allows SQLite database to be externally accessible with the default settings CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
  • TI-2024-11209 Rsync: info leak via uninitialized stack contents CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2024-11212 Rsync: --safe-links option bypass leads to path traversal CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2024-11211 Rsync: path traversal vulnerability in rsync CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
See all 40 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences