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CVE-2024-47072: High Vulnerability in XStream Library

CVE-2024-47072 is a high-severity vulnerability in the XStream library that may lead to denial of service through stack overflow. Organizations should prioritize remediation to prevent application termination.

HIGHCVSS 7.5 · Published November 8, 2024

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CVE-2024-47072 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability impacting the XStream library, which is utilized for object serialization to XML. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to exploit the application by manipulating the processed input stream when XStream is configured to use the BinaryStreamDriver. By doing so, the attacker can induce a stack overflow error, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a significant risk, necessitating immediate attention from affected organizations.

As of now, there are no known exploits reported, but the potential for denial of service through this vulnerability makes it crucial for organizations to assess their use of the XStream library. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to XStream version 1.4.21 or later, where the issue has been addressed. For those unable to upgrade promptly, it is recommended to implement error handling to catch potential StackOverflowErrors in the client code that interacts with XStream.

The urgency for remediation is heightened due to the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact on application availability. Organizations should prioritize patching and consider the implications of running vulnerable versions of the XStream library in production environments.

In summary, CVE-2024-47072 represents a significant risk to users of the XStream library, and organizations must take proactive measures to mitigate this vulnerability effectively.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to terminate the application with a stack overflow error resulting in a denial of service only by manipulating the processed input stream when XStream is configured to use the BinaryStreamDriver. XStream 1.4.21 has been patched to detect the manipulation in the binary input stream causing the stack overflow and raises an InputManipulationException instead.

Risk to organizations includes application downtime and potential disruption of services, which can lead to significant operational impacts. The CVSS score of 7.5 categorizes this vulnerability as high severity, indicating a strong need for immediate remediation.

The vulnerability was published on November 8, 2024, and is classified under CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data).

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2024-47072 is a stack overflow vulnerability arising from improper handling of manipulated input streams when using the BinaryStreamDriver. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or user interaction.

The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can exploit the vulnerability with minimal effort. It requires no privileges, and user interaction is not needed. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are rated as none, while the availability impact is high, leading to potential application termination.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations that utilize the XStream library should be aware of the potential for significant downtime due to this vulnerability. The risk is compounded by the fact that an attacker can trigger this denial of service remotely, making it a critical concern for any application relying on this library.

As this vulnerability could impact the availability of services, organizations must assess their exposure and implement necessary remediation strategies. Given the CVSS score of 7.5 and the lack of known exploits, the urgency for patching is categorized as high.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

All versions prior to vendor patch are affected by this vulnerability. Users are encouraged to upgrade to XStream version 1.4.21 or later to mitigate this issue.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-47072, organizations should upgrade to XStream version 1.4.21 or later. If immediate upgrades are not feasible, they should implement error handling in the client code to catch StackOverflowErrors that may arise due to this vulnerability.

For ongoing security, organizations should consider conducting regular security assessments. Utilizing application security assessments can help identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities proactively.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for StackOverflowError occurrences and any unusual behavior related to the XStream library. Identifying such anomalies can assist in detecting potential exploitation attempts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2024-47072 highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date libraries in software development. As vulnerabilities are discovered, timely patching becomes essential to safeguard applications against potential threats.

This incident reflects a broader trend in software development where legacy libraries may introduce new vulnerabilities. Security teams must continuously evaluate their dependencies and apply security best practices.

Organizations should prioritize their response plans to include strategies for library updates and vulnerability management. By doing so, they can reduce the risk of exposure to similar vulnerabilities in the future.

For comprehensive security measures, organizations are encouraged to leverage various services, including penetration testing and continuous monitoring to stay ahead of emerging threats.

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

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