CVE-2025-46392 describes a medium-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Apache Commons Configuration 1.x. The vulnerability arises from several issues that allow excessive resource consumption when loading untrusted configurations or utilizing unexpected usage patterns. This is particularly concerning as organizations may inadvertently expose themselves to denial-of-service conditions.
With a CVSS score of 6.5, the risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions due to resource exhaustion, particularly if untrusted configurations are processed. Although the Apache Commons Configuration team has indicated that they do not plan to address these issues in version 1.x, they have recommended users who load untrusted configurations to upgrade to the 2.x version line, which rectifies these vulnerabilities.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate this risk, especially those relying on Apache Commons Configuration for configuration management that involves untrusted data. The need for a swift transition to version 2.x is underscored by the fact that it is not a drop-in replacement, allowing for gradual migration by running both versions side-by-side.
As this vulnerability is still under analysis, organizations are encouraged to monitor updates from Apache and implement necessary precautions to prevent potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Apache Commons Configuration 1.x allows attackers to cause excessive resource usage, impacting system availability. The Apache Commons Configuration team has stated that they do not intend to repair these issues in the 1.x line, which adds to the urgency for users to transition to the 2.x line, which does address these concerns.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, indicating that it allows attackers to exploit excessive resource consumption. The publication date of this vulnerability is May 9, 2025, and while it does not have a known exploit or public proof of concept at this time, the potential impact on availability is significant.
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, reflecting low attack complexity and the requirement for low privileges. The availability impact is rated as high, underlining the potential service disruption that can occur if exploited.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the handling of untrusted configurations within Apache Commons Configuration. When configurations from untrusted sources are loaded, the system may enter an unexpected usage pattern, leading to resource exhaustion with potentially severe impacts on system availability.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is classified as network-based (AV:N), which means it can be exploited remotely, potentially allowing attackers to carry out denial-of-service attacks by sending malicious configurations over the network. The attack complexity is rated as low (AC:L), indicating that minimal effort is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The vulnerability requires low privileges (PR:L) and does not necessitate user interaction (UI:N), further lowering the barriers for exploitation. Importantly, the confidentiality impact is rated as none (C:N) and the integrity impact is also none (I:N), suggesting that sensitive data is not directly at risk; however, the system's availability (A:H) could be severely compromised.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2025-46392 is considerable, particularly for organizations utilizing Apache Commons Configuration in environments where untrusted configurations may be processed. The potential for denial-of-service conditions due to excessive resource consumption represents a critical risk.
Why this matters to organizations is clear: service disruptions can lead to significant operational impacts, loss of productivity, and potential revenue loss. The blast radius could extend to any service relying on the affected configuration management, increasing the urgency for remediation.
With a CVSS score of 6.5, the urgency assessment indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, especially if they are currently processing untrusted configurations. The recommendation to upgrade to version 2.x is critical, as this version addresses the issues present in 1.x.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is Apache Commons Configuration, specifically versions 1.0 through 1.x. Users are advised to upgrade to version 2.x, as it resolves these vulnerabilities. Apache Commons Configuration 2.x is not a drop-in replacement but can coexist with version 1.x, allowing for a gradual migration.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade to Apache Commons Configuration 2.x. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, organizations should restrict the loading of untrusted configurations. In addition, implementing strict input validation and monitoring configurations loaded into the system can further protect against potential resource exhaustion.
For ongoing protection, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to identify other potential weaknesses that could be exploited.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual resource usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, observing behavioral anomalies during configuration loading processes can provide critical insights into potential exploitation.
To enhance detection capabilities, implementing network signatures that identify anomalous configuration loading requests may help in early detection of attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-46392 lies in its representation of the challenges organizations face when managing configurations, especially from untrusted sources. The pattern of uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerabilities indicates a need for robust application security practices that prioritize safe configuration management.
Security teams should take this as a reminder of the importance of scrutinizing third-party libraries and ensuring they are kept up to date. Lessons learned from this vulnerability highlight the necessity of implementing strong input validation and continuous monitoring practices.
For further reading on related topics, organizations may find the following valuable: vulnerability management program design, penetration testing methodology, and the importance of web application security testing in mitigating similar vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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