The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48924 is classified as an uncontrolled recursion issue in Apache Commons Lang. This vulnerability affects versions 2.0 to 2.6 of commons-lang and any version of commons-lang3 up to, but not including, 3.18.0. The underlying problem arises from the methods ClassUtils.getClass(...) which can trigger a StackOverflowError when handling excessively long inputs. Consequently, since an Error like this is typically unhandled by applications and libraries, it poses a significant risk, potentially causing applications to halt unexpectedly.
The severity of this vulnerability is marked as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.3. This score indicates that while the risk is not as critical as higher severity vulnerabilities, it still warrants attention and remediation. Failure to address this issue could lead to disruptions in service, impacting user experience and potentially leading to further vulnerabilities.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its potential impact, organizations using affected versions are urged to prioritize patching. Upgrading to version 3.18.0 resolves this issue and mitigates the risk associated with the StackOverflowError.
Currently, this vulnerability has known exploits available, which underscores the urgency for organizations to implement the necessary patches immediately. Wait times for remediation could expose systems to attacks that leverage this vulnerability.
Organizations should actively monitor their use of Apache Commons Lang and ensure they are utilizing the latest secure versions to prevent potential disruptions.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2025-48924 describes an uncontrolled recursion vulnerability in Apache Commons Lang. The specific method affected is ClassUtils.getClass(...), which can throw a StackOverflowError when processing very long inputs. This issue affects versions of commons-lang from 2.0 to 2.6 and commons-lang3 from 3.0 to 3.18.0.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level, characterized by low attack complexity and no required privileges to exploit. The potential impact on availability is rated as low, but the risk of application crashes remains a serious concern.
The vulnerability was published on July 11, 2025, and is classified under CWE-674, which pertains to uncontrolled recursion. Users are advised to upgrade to version 3.18.0 to mitigate this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-48924 lies in the recursion mechanism of the ClassUtils.getClass(...) method. When this method encounters exceedingly long input, it can lead to a StackOverflowError. The attack vector for this vulnerability is categorized as NETWORK, allowing potential exploitation from remote locations.
The attack complexity is rated as low, indicating that it can be exploited without sophisticated techniques. No privileges are required to trigger this vulnerability, and user interaction is also not needed. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is rated as none, while the availability impact is low.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Apache Commons Lang face real-world risks, including application crashes and service disruptions. These risks are exacerbated by the availability of known exploits, which makes timely remediation crucial.
The potential blast radius of this vulnerability can be significant, especially in environments where Apache Commons Lang is extensively integrated. Organizations should assess their deployment to understand the impact of this vulnerability on their operations.
Given the medium severity rating, organizations should treat this vulnerability with an appropriate level of urgency. Implementing patches should be prioritized in the next patch cycle to mitigate potential risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Apache Commons Lang are those starting from version 2.0 up to 2.6, as well as versions 3.0 to 3.18.0. Users are encouraged to upgrade to version 3.18.0, which addresses this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must prioritize patching to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended action is to upgrade to Apache Commons Lang version 3.18.0, which resolves the issue. In cases where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing input validation to limit input length can help reduce the risk of triggering the StackOverflowError.
Organizations should also consider conducting a thorough security assessment, which can be facilitated through application security assessments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities.
Additional network controls should be implemented to monitor and restrict access to applications that utilize affected versions of Apache Commons Lang.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor application logs for indications of StackOverflowError occurrences. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in application performance may serve as indicators of an attempted exploit.
Network signatures indicating unusual traffic patterns to services leveraging the vulnerable ClassUtils.getClass(...) method should also be scrutinized.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2025-48924 underscores the importance of rigorous input validation and error handling in application development. As vulnerabilities of this nature can lead to unhandled exceptions causing application downtime, it is critical for development teams to implement robust error handling solutions.
This vulnerability reflects a broader trend in software security where even seemingly benign functions can introduce significant risks. Organizations should prioritize security training for development teams to ensure that security considerations are integrated into the software development lifecycle.
For further insights on vulnerability management, organizations can benefit from engaging in vulnerability management programs that help identify and mitigate risks proactively.
Additionally, regular security assessments, such as penetration testing, can uncover vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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