The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-24998 affects Apache Commons FileUpload versions prior to 1.5. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the software by uploading a large number of request parts, potentially leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The CVSS score of 7.5 categorizes this vulnerability as high severity, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from security teams.
Risk to organizations includes service disruption due to resource exhaustion caused by a malicious upload or series of uploads. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability without requiring any privileges or user interaction, indicating a straightforward path for exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The new configuration option (FileUploadBase#setFileCountMax) designed to limit the number of request parts is not enabled by default and requires explicit configuration to mitigate this risk.
The urgency for defenders is underscored by the potential availability impact, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to bring down services. Timely remediation is crucial to maintaining operational integrity.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that Apache Commons FileUpload before 1.5 does not limit the number of request parts to be processed. This failure allows potential denial-of-service attacks through malicious uploads. The underlying issue is classified under CWE-770, which relates to insufficiently limiting the number of items in a collection.
The vulnerability is present in the software as a result of improper input validation, allowing resource exhaustion. The CVSS 3.1 vector indicates a network attack vector with low complexity, meaning that the attack can be executed with minimal effort. The availability impact is rated as high, reflecting the risk of service disruption.
Affected products include Apache Commons FileUpload versions from 1.0 to just before 1.5, as well as Debian Linux versions 9.0 and 11.0. The vulnerability was published on February 20, 2023, and has been modified in subsequent advisories.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2023-24998 lies in the lack of limits on the number of request parts processed by the Apache Commons FileUpload library. This design flaw opens a path for attackers to exploit the system by sending numerous requests, exhausting the server's resources.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can execute an exploit remotely without physical access to the target system. The attack complexity is classified as low, signifying that no specialized knowledge or skills are needed to carry out the attack.
No privileges are required for the attacker, and user interaction is not necessary, which further increases the threat posed by this vulnerability. The potential impacts include a significant loss of availability, as the system could become unresponsive due to the exhaustion of resources.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of Apache Commons FileUpload without appropriate limits could expose organizations to severe operational risks. If exploited, the vulnerability can lead to service outages, impacting customer trust and business continuity.
The blast radius of this vulnerability can be extensive, as any service using the affected component could be targeted. Organizations utilizing Apache Commons FileUpload should assess their exposure and implement necessary safeguards swiftly.
The urgency assessment is underscored by the CVSS score of 7.5, indicating high severity, coupled with the potential for widespread impact. Organizations must act to mitigate this threat before it can be exploited.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all Apache Commons FileUpload versions prior to 1.5 and Debian Linux versions 9.0 and 11.0. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to the latest versions to mitigate the vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should patch to the latest version of Apache Commons FileUpload. Workarounds include enabling the new configuration option (FileUploadBase#setFileCountMax) to limit the number of request parts processed. For additional guidance on secure configurations, organizations can refer to secure configuration management best practices and implement network controls to restrict malicious uploads.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual file upload patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Key indicators include an excessive number of upload requests in a short time frame. Behavioral anomalies in file upload processes should also be investigated to identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2023-24998 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with insufficient input validation in file upload systems. This vulnerability may represent a broader trend of similar weaknesses in web applications that handle file uploads. Security teams should take this as a lesson to strengthen their file upload processes and ensure that all input is properly validated before processing.
For a comprehensive understanding of penetration testing methodologies, organizations can refer to the following resources: penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management program design, and web application penetration testing guides.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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