CVE-2024-54677 describes an uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in the examples web application provided with Apache Tomcat. This flaw allows attackers to exploit the application, leading to potential denial of service. The vulnerability affects several versions of Apache Tomcat, specifically from 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.1, from 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.33, and from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.9.97. Notably, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100, which were end-of-life at the time of the CVE creation, are also impacted.
The CVSS score of 5.3 categorizes this vulnerability as medium severity, indicating that its exploitation could lead to a moderate impact on availability. Organizations should take this seriously, especially since denial of service could disrupt operations and affect user access to services.
Although there are currently no known exploits for this vulnerability, the potential for service disruption necessitates immediate attention. Users are advised to upgrade to versions 11.0.2, 10.1.34, or 9.0.98, which contain fixes for this issue.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard against this vulnerability. Ensuring that systems are updated will mitigate risks associated with potential denial of service attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for uncontrolled resource consumption, which can be exploited by attackers to create conditions that lead to a denial of service. The affected versions of Apache Tomcat include:
• Apache Tomcat 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.1 • Apache Tomcat 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.33 • Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 through 9.9.97 • Apache Tomcat 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 (EOL)
The recommended remediation is to upgrade to the following fixed versions: 11.0.2, 10.1.34, or 9.0.98.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the resource management of the examples web application. Attackers may leverage this flaw by triggering excessive resource allocation, resulting in a denial of service.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely without requiring any privileges or user interaction. The attack complexity is low, making it easier for attackers to initiate a denial of service attack.
The impact on availability is classified as low; however, the potential for service disruption could significantly affect organizations relying on Apache Tomcat services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of Apache Tomcat face the risk of denial of service, which can lead to significant operational disruption. The potential blast radius of this vulnerability encompasses any services reliant on the affected versions, potentially impacting customers and end-users.
Given the medium CVSS score of 5.3, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The urgency stems from the need to maintain service availability and protect against possible exploitation.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks and ensure their systems are fortified against potential denial of service incidents.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Apache Tomcat are affected by CVE-2024-54677:
• 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.1 • 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.33 • 9.0.0.M1 through 9.9.97 • 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 (EOL)
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to the following versions:
• Upgrade to Apache Tomcat 11.0.2, 10.1.34, or 9.0.98.
In the absence of immediate upgrades, organizations should consider implementing rate limiting and resource monitoring to mitigate the effects of potential denial of service attacks.
Penetration testing can also help identify vulnerabilities in the web application and improve overall security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for anomalous resource consumption patterns that could indicate an ongoing attack. Relevant indicators include spikes in CPU or memory usage and unusual traffic patterns targeting the examples web application.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-54677 highlights the importance of resource management in web applications. As organizations increasingly rely on web applications, vulnerabilities like this can have a significant impact on service availability and user trust. Security teams should prioritize proactive security measures, including regular updates and security assessments.
For organizations using Apache Tomcat, understanding the potential impact of vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining operational integrity. Implementing a robust penetration testing methodology can further enhance resilience against threats.
Organizations should stay informed about emerging threats and review their security posture regularly to mitigate risks effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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