CVE-2024-45593: Nix is a package manager for Linux and other Unix systems

This month

CRITICAL 9.0WATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2024-45593 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.0) affecting nix. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Nix is a package manager for Linux and other Unix systems. A bug in Nix 2.24 prior to 2.24.6 allows a substituter or malicious user to craft a NAR that, when unpacked by Nix, causes Nix to write to arbitrary file system locations to which the Nix process has access. This will be with root permissions when using the Nix daemon. This issue is fixed in Nix 2.24.6.

Why this priority

Critical severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.0 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 51%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2024-09-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: nixos

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-09-10 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nixos nix UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.24.0 and < 2.24.6

Fixed in: 2.24.6

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.24.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy nix || rpm -q nix || nix --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.24.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade nix

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade nix

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.24.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison nix sudo apt install nix=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.24.0> sudo apt-mark hold nix

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list nix sudo dnf downgrade nix-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.24.0> sudo dnf versionlock add nix

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-45593?

nix: upgrade to 2.24.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-45593 being exploited?

CVE-2024-45593 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-45593 affect?

CVE-2024-45593 affects nix. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.0). Nix is a package manager for Linux and other Unix systems. A bug in Nix 2.24 prior to 2.24.6 allows a substituter or malicious user to craft a NAR that, when unpacked by Nix, causes Nix to write to arbitrary file system locations to which t

How urgent is CVE-2024-45593?

Priority 49/100. Critical severity; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-39860 CRITICAL 9.0 UPGRADE Nix is a package manager for Linux and other Unix systems
CVE-2024-27297 MEDIUM 6.3 UPGRADE Nix is a package manager for Linux and other Unix systems
CVE-2021-45707 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in the nix crate 0.16.0 and later before 0.20.2, 0.21.x before 0.21.2, and 0.22.x befo

References

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