CVE-2024-38286 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Apache Tomcat, specifically related to the allocation of resources without limits or throttling. The CVSS score of 8.6 indicates a significant risk, allowing attackers to exploit this flaw to deny service by causing an OutOfMemoryError during the TLS handshake process. This vulnerability presents a critical concern for organizations utilizing affected versions of Apache Tomcat.
The vulnerability impacts multiple versions of Apache Tomcat, including versions 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.0-M20, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.24, and 9.0.13 through 9.0.89. Additionally, several end-of-life (EOL) versions, such as 8.5.35 through 8.5.100 and 7.0.92 through 7.0.109, are also affected. Users are urged to upgrade to the latest versions 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, or 9.0.90, which contain fixes for this issue.
Risk to organizations includes potential denial of service, which can disrupt operations and lead to significant downtime. As this vulnerability is publicly known, the urgency for defenders to address it cannot be overstated. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no known exploits for this vulnerability, but given the nature of the issue, it is essential to remain vigilant. Monitoring for updates and implementing the recommended patches will be crucial in maintaining the security posture of affected systems.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit Apache Tomcat configurations across any platform, leading to an OutOfMemoryError. The official CVE description highlights that users are advised to upgrade to specific patched versions to resolve the issue. The classification of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-770 category, which relates to resource allocation without limits.
The CVSS version 3.1 vector string indicates a network attack vector with low complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction, ultimately affecting the availability of the service.
Technical Analysis
Root cause analysis reveals that the lack of resource limits during the TLS handshake process allows attackers to exploit configurations that lead to excessive memory consumption. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can initiate the attack remotely without needing physical access to the system.
The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require any specialized skills or access, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not needed, increasing the likelihood of successful attacks.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant; it directly affects availability by causing potential service disruptions through OutOfMemoryError, leading to denial-of-service conditions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Apache Tomcat face substantial risks, particularly concerning service availability. The potential for denial of service can greatly disrupt business operations, resulting in downtime and loss of revenue. As the vulnerability is publicly disclosed, threat actors are likely to attempt exploitation, making it imperative for organizations to act swiftly.
The vulnerability's high CVSS score of 8.6 underscores its severity and the potential for significant impact. Given the exploitability metrics, organizations should prioritize remediation efforts in their patch cycle to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability. With no known exploits currently available, the time to act is now to strengthen defenses against possible future attacks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability impacts Apache Tomcat versions from 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.0-M20, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.24, and 9.0.13 to 9.0.89. Additionally, end-of-life versions 8.5.35 to 8.5.100 and 7.0.92 to 7.0.109 are also affected. Users should upgrade to 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, or 9.0.90 to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should update their Apache Tomcat installations to the versions that address this issue: 11.0.0-M21, 10.1.25, or 9.0.90. In addition to patching, organizations may also implement configuration hardening to limit resource allocation and monitor for unusual behavior.
For ongoing security assurance, organizations can consider engaging in penetration testing to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of abnormal resource usage and TLS handshake anomalies. Behavioral anomalies that deviate from normal patterns could signal attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Network signatures related to the TLS handshake process should also be reviewed to detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-38286 lies in its demonstration of how resource allocation issues can lead to significant vulnerabilities in widely used software. It highlights the importance of rigorous resource management in application security.
This vulnerability represents a trend where network-based vulnerabilities are increasingly being exploited for denial of service attacks. Security teams must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing such vulnerabilities.
Organizations are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive security posture that includes regular updates, configuration management, and security testing. Leveraging services such as application security assessments can further enhance their security strategies.
As part of an ongoing security strategy, continuous monitoring and engagement with security experts can significantly mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-38286.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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