CVE-2024-47561: Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Apache Avro Java SDK and Mitigation Measures

A security vulnerability (CVE-2024-47561) has been discovered in the Java SDK of Apache Avro, a data serialization system used by many data-intensive applications. This vulnerability exists within the schema parsing feature of Avro 1.11.3 and earlier versions, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code and effectively compromise any system running the affected libraries.

Summary of the Exploit

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in the way Avro's Java SDK parses user-provided schemas. By crafting a malicious schema, an attacker can create a situation where arbitrary code gets executed, leading to remote code execution. Generally, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or tamper with various system components.

Here's an example of a code snippet illustrating the parsing process in the vulnerable version of Apache Avro Java SDK:

import org.apache.avro.Schema;

public class AvroSchemaTest {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    String maliciousSchema = // attacker-crafted schema goes here
    Schema.Parser parser = new Schema.Parser();
    Schema schema = parser.parse(maliciousSchema);
  }
}

By exploiting the CVE-2024-47561 vulnerability, an attacker may tamper with or compromise the target system's functionality, integrity, or confidentiality.

For more information about CVE-2024-47561, you can refer to the following sources

1. Official Apache Avro Security Advisory
2. NVD - CVE-2024-47561
3. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Webpage

Mitigation Measures

To remediate this vulnerability, users are strongly recommended to upgrade their Apache Avro Java SDK to version 1.11.4 or 1.12., as these versions provide fixes for the issue. You can download the updated versions from the official Apache Avro website here.

Maven

<dependency>
  <groupId>org.apache.avro</groupId>
  <artifactId>avro</artifactId>
  <version>1.11.4</version>
</dependency>

Gradle

dependencies {
    implementation 'org.apache.avro:avro:1.11.4'
}

After upgrading the SDK, it is essential to review the application code and ensure no user-controlled data is passed directly into Schema.Parser.parse() without adequate input validation.

Conclusion

Keeping our systems secure and updated is of utmost importance. It is critical to apply patches and updates in a timely manner to mitigate threats and protect sensitive information. By upgrading to the latest version of Apache Avro Java SDK and following best practices in application development, you can minimize the risk of being affected by the CVE-2024-47561 vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 10/03/2024 11:15:13 UTC
Last modified on: 10/21/2024 09:15:02 UTC