Apache MINA Vulnerability Enables Remote Code Execution

Learn about the critical need for secure deserialization practices and timely patch management to protect cloud environments from severe vulnerabilities.

 

The Apache MINA framework has a critical vulnerability that allows remote code execution due to unsafe deserialization in certain conditions. This flaw is present in versions 2.0.X, 2.1.X, and 2.2.X and requires specific usage patterns to be exploited. Apache has issued patches, but users must also configure their systems to restrict accepted classes for deserialization to mitigate the risk. The announcement follows recent security fixes in other Apache projects, highlighting the importance of timely updates to protect against exploitation.

 

Key Facts

Risks:

Patch Management, Open Source, Web App/Website Vulnerability

Keywords:

Apache MINA, Remote Code Execution, CVE-2024-52046, Java Deserialization, Vulnerability Patch

CVE:

CVE-2024-52046; CVE-2024-56337; CVE-2024-45387; CVE-2024-43441; CVE-2024-53677

Affected:

Apache MINA, Apache Tomcat, Apache Traffic Control, HugeGraph-Server, Apache Struts

 

Article Body

Apache MINA Vulnerability: Critical Remote Code Execution Risk

A severe security flaw has been identified in the Apache MINA Java network application framework, which could lead to remote code execution (RCE). This vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its high severity, with a CVSS score of 10.0, the maximum possible. It impacts versions 2.0.X, 2.1.X, and 2.2.X of the framework.

Vulnerability Details

The issue arises from the ObjectSerializationDecoder component of Apache MINA, which utilizes Java's native deserialization protocol. This process involves converting data into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted and then reconstructed later. However, the decoder lacks essential security checks, making it vulnerable to exploitation.

Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted serialized data to the application, potentially gaining the ability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Such an attack is only possible if the vulnerable method, IoBuffer#getObject(), is used alongside specific classes like ProtocolCodecFilter and ObjectSerializationCodecFactory.

Mitigation Measures

The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) has released patches to address this vulnerability. Users are advised to update to the latest versions of Apache MINA. However, simply upgrading is insufficient. It is crucial to configure the ObjectSerializationDecoder to only accept specific classes by using one of the three new methods introduced in the update. This step is vital to effectively mitigate the risk of exploitation.

Context and Recent Developments

This disclosure follows a series of recent security updates by Apache, which included fixes for vulnerabilities in other projects such as Tomcat, Traffic Control, and HugeGraph-Server. Additionally, a critical flaw in the Apache Struts web application framework was patched earlier this month, which also posed a risk of remote code execution.

Users of Apache products are strongly encouraged to maintain up-to-date installations and configurations to protect against potential threats.

 

Read More

https://thehackernews.com/2024/12/apache-mina-cve-2024-52046-cvss-100.html?m=1