Appsecure logo

CVE-2022-29599: Critical Vulnerability in Apache Maven maven-shared-utils

A critical vulnerability in Apache Maven maven-shared-utils allows for shell injection attacks due to improper escaping of double-quoted strings. Organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate risk.

CRITICALCVSS 9.8 · Published May 23, 2022

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

In Apache Maven maven-shared-utils prior to version 3.3.3, the Commandline class can emit double-quoted strings without proper escaping, allowing shell injection attacks. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-29599, carries a critical CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe potential impacts. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions are at significant risk of unauthorized command execution and system compromise.

Risk to organizations includes potential data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive systems, and service interruptions. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as low complexity, meaning that attackers can execute shell commands with minimal effort. Given the nature of the attack vector, which is network-based, organizations must act swiftly to address this risk.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The urgency stems from the vulnerability's potential for widespread exploitation, especially in environments that rely on automated build and deployment processes using Apache Maven.

As of now, there are no known public exploits or proofs of concept available, but the risk remains high due to the nature of the vulnerability. Defenders should remain vigilant and ensure that all affected systems are updated.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows an attacker to leverage the Commandline class improperly handling double-quoted strings, leading to potential shell injection. It affects Apache Maven maven-shared-utils versions prior to 3.3.3, with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating critical severity. The vulnerability was published on May 23, 2022, and is classified under CWE-116.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the Commandline class's failure to properly escape double-quoted strings, which can be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary commands. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no special privileges or user interaction from the target system. The attack complexity is low, making it accessible for attackers to exploit the vulnerability.

The impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks as an attacker may execute commands that could expose sensitive information, alter data integrity, or disrupt service availability.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations using affected versions of Apache Maven maven-shared-utils face significant risks. The potential for exploitation in networked environments is high, and attackers may leverage this vulnerability to infiltrate systems, leading to data breaches and unauthorized access. The blast radius could extend to any system using the vulnerable components, highlighting the importance of prompt remediation.

Given its critical CVSS score and the lack of public exploits, organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize this vulnerability in their patch management cycle. Monitoring for anomalous activity related to this vulnerability is also advised.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions of Apache Maven maven-shared-utils include all versions prior to 3.3.3. Additionally, Debian Linux versions 10.0 and 11.0 are also vulnerable. Organizations must ensure these components are updated to mitigate the risk.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should immediately update to Apache Maven maven-shared-utils version 3.3.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. If patching is not feasible, consider implementing configuration hardening to restrict command execution and network controls to limit exposure. Continuous monitoring for unusual activity related to this vulnerability is also recommended.

For comprehensive security assessments, organizations may consider leveraging penetration testing services to identify potential vulnerabilities in their systems.

Detection Guidance

Monitoring for unexpected behavior in applications that utilize Apache Maven maven-shared-utils is crucial. Key indicators include anomalous command executions and unusual network activity. Additionally, organizations should review logs for unauthorized access attempts or errors that may indicate exploitation.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The critical nature of CVE-2022-29599 represents a significant threat to organizations leveraging Apache Maven. The vulnerability exemplifies the need for stringent validation of input data in software applications to prevent injection vulnerabilities. Security teams should take this opportunity to review their security posture and implement best practices for secure coding.

For further insights into vulnerability management, organizations can explore our guide on vulnerability management programs and the importance of penetration testing methodology in strengthening defenses.

Additionally, organizations should monitor trends in vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-29599 to understand emerging threats better. Our article on vulnerability exposure severity trends provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of security threats.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.