There exists a security vulnerability in Jetty's ThreadLimitHandler.getRemote() which can be exploited by unauthorized users to cause remote denial-of-service (DoS) attack. By repeatedly sending crafted requests, attackers can trigger OutOfMemory errors and exhaust the server's memory. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.9, indicating a medium severity level. Organizations running affected versions of Jetty are at risk of service disruption, making it critical to address this issue promptly.
The risk to organizations includes potential downtime and service unavailability. Given the nature of this vulnerability, attackers may leverage it to disrupt services by exhausting server resources. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk and ensure continued availability of their services.
As of now, there are no known exploits or public proof of concepts available for this vulnerability, but organizations should remain vigilant and take proactive measures to secure their systems.
In summary, addressing CVE-2024-8184 should be a priority for organizations using Eclipse Jetty to prevent potential service disruptions caused by remote denial-of-service attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability affects Jetty's ThreadLimitHandler.getRemote() method, allowing unauthorized users to exploit it for remote denial-of-service attacks. The official CVE description states: 'There exists a security vulnerability in Jetty's ThreadLimitHandler.getRemote() which can be exploited by unauthorized users to cause remote denial-of-service (DoS) attack.'
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400 (Uncontrolled Resource Consumption) and CWE-770 (Allocation of Resources Without Limits). The CVSS score of 5.9 indicates a medium severity, which suggests that the vulnerability has a moderate impact on availability.
The affected product is Jetty, with the following versions being vulnerable: versions 9.3.12 to 9.4.56, 10.0.0 to 10.0.24, 11.0.0 to 11.0.24, and 12.0.0 to 12.0.9. The vulnerability was published on October 14, 2024, and classified under CVSS 3.1.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way Jetty handles requests in the ThreadLimitHandler.getRemote() method. The method does not adequately manage resource consumption, allowing attackers to send crafted requests that lead to OutOfMemory errors. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, indicating that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely.
The attack complexity is rated as HIGH, requiring attackers to craft specific requests to exploit the vulnerability. No privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary to trigger the vulnerability. The impact on availability is categorized as HIGH since successful exploitation can lead to service outages.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of Jetty should be aware of the real-world risks associated with this vulnerability. The potential for a remote denial-of-service attack means that attackers could disrupt service availability, which could lead to significant business impacts, especially for organizations relying on Jetty for critical operations.
The blast radius for this vulnerability could affect any service utilizing Jetty, making it essential for organizations to assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. Given its medium CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
The potential for exploitation, while currently low due to the absence of public exploits, underscores the importance of timely patching and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that could indicate an attempted attack.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Jetty include:
- 9.3.12 to 9.4.56
- 10.0.0 to 10.0.24
- 11.0.0 to 11.0.24
- 12.0.0 to 12.0.9
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately for affected versions of Jetty. Upgrading to the latest stable version will mitigate the vulnerability. If patches are unavailable, consider implementing rate limiting on request handling or other network controls to reduce exposure to potential denial-of-service attacks.
For more details on effective security practices, organizations can refer to our guide on penetration testing methodologies.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability is crucial. Log indicators such as high rates of incoming requests to the ThreadLimitHandler can be a sign of an ongoing attack. Behavioral anomalies should be investigated, particularly sudden spikes in resource usage.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2024-8184 highlights the importance of managing resource consumption within web server applications. Organizations should adopt robust resource management strategies to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should stay informed about emerging threats and maintain a proactive approach to application security.
For additional insights on application security, consider our resources on API security testing and cloud security assessments.
Additionally, organizations should evaluate their incident response plans to ensure they are prepared for potential exploitation attempts.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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