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CVE-2025-48976: High Vulnerability in Apache Commons FileUpload

A high-severity denial-of-service vulnerability exists in Apache Commons FileUpload due to insufficient limits on multipart headers. Organizations are urged to upgrade immediately to mitigate potential impacts.

HIGHPublic ExploitCVSS 7.5 · Published June 16, 2025

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This vulnerability allows for denial-of-service (DoS) attacks due to the allocation of resources for multipart headers without sufficient limits. Specifically, this issue affects versions of Apache Commons FileUpload prior to 1.6 and from 2.0.0-M1 before 2.0.0-M4. Organizations using these versions are at risk, as attackers can exploit this flaw to exhaust server resources.

The CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high severity level, highlighting the importance of timely mitigation. The risk to organizations includes potential service outages and disruptions, impacting user access and operational continuity.

Currently, a known exploit for this vulnerability exists, which emphasizes the urgency for organizations to prioritize patching immediately. Users are recommended to upgrade to versions 1.6 or 2.0.0-M4, which resolve this issue.

Given the exploitation status and potential impact of this vulnerability, organizations should take immediate actions to ensure their systems are secured against this threat.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-770, which pertains to insufficient resource management. The affected component is Apache Commons FileUpload, specifically versions prior to 1.6 and 2.0.0-M4. The issue was publicly disclosed on June 16, 2025, and its implications could lead to service downtime for organizations that rely on this component for file uploads.

Organizations should ensure that they are using the patched versions to avoid these risks.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the way resources are allocated for processing multipart headers in Apache Commons FileUpload. The insufficient limits on these resources can be exploited by attackers to create denial-of-service conditions, leading to significant availability impacts.

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction, thereby making it relatively easy for attackers to exploit. The attack complexity is considered low, allowing for straightforward exploitation techniques.

The impact on availability is rated as high, as successful exploitation can lead to service interruptions. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are not applicable in this case.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations utilizing Apache Commons FileUpload should understand the real-world risk posed by this vulnerability. Given its high severity and the fact that a known exploit exists, the potential blast radius could affect numerous users and services relying on the affected component.

The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is critical due to the operational disruption it may cause. Organizations should prioritize patching as part of their immediate response strategy to mitigate potential impacts.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

This vulnerability affects all versions of Apache Commons FileUpload prior to 1.6 and from 2.0.0-M1 before 2.0.0-M4. Organizations must ensure they upgrade to version 1.6 or 2.0.0-M4 to mitigate this risk.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations are strongly advised to upgrade to the latest versions of Apache Commons FileUpload, specifically version 1.6 or 2.0.0-M4, to address this vulnerability. In situations where immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to affected services.

Further information on securing your applications can be found through our application security assessment services.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual resource allocation patterns and inspect for unexpected service outages related to file uploads.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to disrupt services that rely heavily on file uploads. Security teams must be vigilant and incorporate lessons learned from this incident into their security protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

For comprehensive security assessments, our team recommends reviewing our penetration testing services to enhance your security posture.

Additionally, organizations should stay informed about emerging threats by reviewing our latest penetration testing methodology articles.

By understanding vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-48976, organizations can better prepare and defend against potential exploitation.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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