CVE-2024-56337 is a critical Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability in Apache Tomcat affecting multiple versions. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a significant risk to organizations that utilize affected versions of Tomcat. The vulnerability primarily affects versions 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.1, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.33, and 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.97. Notably, older versions such as 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 are also impacted, although they were end-of-life (EOL) at the time of the CVE's creation.
The urgency for defenders is high, as organizations running Tomcat on case-insensitive file systems with the default servlet write enabled are particularly vulnerable. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the race condition to manipulate file operations, which could lead to unauthorized access or data integrity issues. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate exploitation risks.
As of now, there is a known exploit available for this vulnerability, which increases the risk of active exploitation. Organizations using Apache Tomcat must take immediate action to secure their systems against potential attacks. The nature of the vulnerability highlights the importance of timely updates and diligent security practices.
In summary, the critical nature of this vulnerability, combined with its known exploit status, underscores the need for organizations to take swift remediation actions. Users should ensure they are running patched versions of Tomcat and follow recommended configurations to mitigate associated risks.
This vulnerability allows attackers to leverage the race condition to manipulate file operations, posing significant integrity and availability risks. Organizations must address this vulnerability with urgency to protect their systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent unauthorized access and ensure system integrity.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that this vulnerability allows for a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition in Apache Tomcat. The affected versions include Apache Tomcat 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 9.0.97. The EOL versions known to be affected include 8.5.0 through 8.5.100. The mitigation for CVE-2024-50379 was found to be incomplete, necessitating additional configuration for users on case-insensitive file systems.
When using Tomcat with Java 8 or Java 11, the system property `sun.io.useCanonCaches` must be explicitly set to false. For Java 17, this property, if set, must also be false. No further configuration is required for Java 21 and onwards. Tomcat versions 11.0.3, 10.1.35, and 9.0.99 and later will implement checks for this property before allowing the default servlet to be write-enabled.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-56337 is tied to a race condition that occurs during file operations in Apache Tomcat. The attack vector is through the network, with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows unauthorized users to potentially exploit the flaw.
The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as attackers may exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, modify data, or disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing Apache Tomcat should be aware of the significant risks associated with CVE-2024-56337. The potential for exploitation is exacerbated by the availability of known exploits. The blast radius could include critical systems that rely on Tomcat for application hosting, leading to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
Given the CVSS score of 9.8, organizations must evaluate their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. The urgency for patching is critical, and organizations should not delay in applying the necessary updates to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Apache Tomcat include: 11.0.0-M1 through 11.0.1, 10.1.0-M1 through 10.1.33, and 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.97. Additionally, versions 8.5.0 through 8.5.100 were EOL at the time of the CVE's creation and are also known to be affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the following mitigation strategies: patch to the latest versions of Tomcat (11.0.3, 10.1.35, or 9.0.99) where the issues with the `sun.io.useCanonCaches` property are addressed. For users running Java 8 or 11, ensure `sun.io.useCanonCaches` is explicitly set to false. If a patch is not immediately available, consider implementing configuration changes to reduce risk.
Organizations may also benefit from conducting regular security assessments and continuous penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities proactively. For more information on security testing services, organizations should refer to penetration testing and other related security services.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor the following indicators: log entries indicating unexpected file operations, behavioral anomalies in application performance, and any unauthorized access attempts. Implementing network signatures that identify anomalous traffic patterns can also aid in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-56337 represents a critical vulnerability that emphasizes the need for organizations to adopt a proactive security posture. The presence of known exploits highlights the importance of regular updates and robust configuration management practices. By conducting thorough vulnerability assessments, organizations can better understand their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.
Security teams should also consider reviewing their vulnerability management programs to ensure they are equipped to handle similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Additionally, organizations should engage in continuous learning and adaptation, utilizing resources such as penetration testing methodologies to refine their security strategies over time.
Ultimately, the lessons learned from CVE-2024-56337 should prompt organizations to foster a culture of security awareness and proactive risk management to safeguard their critical assets.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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