Improper Authentication in NousResearch Hermes-Agent

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is an authentication bypass issue in the Hermes Agent's Discord integration, specifically in the function DiscordAdapter._is_allowed_user. When the DISCORD_ALLOWED_ROLES configuration is set, the system incorrectly falls back to scanning all mutual Discord servers shared between the bot and a user to check roles. An attacker who shares a public server with the bot and obtains a role with an ID matching the restricted role can bypass authentication entirely.

This flaw allows the attacker to gain full access to the bot through direct messages or other contexts that trigger the fallback mechanism, enabling arbitrary tool execution, memory extraction, and potential compromise of the underlying infrastructure.

The root cause was a flawed fallback logic in the DiscordAdapter._is_allowed_user function, which was later fixed by limiting role checks to the originating guild.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have severe impacts including unauthorized full access to the Hermes Agent bot via Discord, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary tools, extract sensitive memory contents, and potentially compromise the entire infrastructure hosting the bot.

Such unauthorized access can lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and loss of control over critical systems integrated with the bot.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Detection Guidance

Detection of this vulnerability involves checking if the Hermes Agent's Discord integration is running a vulnerable version and if the configuration uses the DISCORD_ALLOWED_ROLES setting that triggers the fallback scanning of mutual guilds.

One approach is to inspect the version of the hermes-agent package installed and verify if it is up to the vulnerable commit (up to 75cbdfd06b).

Additionally, monitoring for unusual direct message activity or unexpected role-based access in Discord bots can indicate exploitation attempts.

While no specific commands are provided in the resources, typical commands to check package versions and running processes might include:

• pip show hermes-agent # To check the installed version of the hermes-agent Python package
• ps aux | grep hermes-agent # To check if the hermes-agent process is running
• Review configuration files for DISCORD_ALLOWED_ROLES settings that may trigger the vulnerable fallback logic

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Mitigation Strategies

Immediate mitigation involves updating the hermes-agent package to a version that includes the patch fixing the fallback logic in the DiscordAdapter._is_allowed_user function.

If an update is not immediately possible, review and modify the DISCORD_ALLOWED_ROLES configuration to avoid triggering the fallback scanning of all mutual guilds.

Restrict the bot's permissions and monitor for suspicious activity, especially unexpected direct messages or role assignments that could indicate exploitation.

Consider temporarily disabling the Discord integration component until a patched version is deployed.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to the Hermes Agent via its Discord integration. Such unauthorized access can lead to arbitrary tool execution, memory extraction, and potential infrastructure compromise.

Given the potential for unauthorized access and data compromise, this vulnerability could negatively impact compliance with common standards and regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, which require strict controls over data confidentiality, integrity, and access.

However, the provided information does not explicitly state the direct effects on compliance with these standards.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0