CVE-2024-52577 - Apache Ignite Class Serialization Filters Bypass Vulnerability

In this post, we will discuss a security vulnerability that has been identified in Apache Ignite for versions from 2.6. and before 2.17., which is tracked under CVE-2024-52577. This vulnerability occurs due to a misconfiguration in the Class Serialization Filters in some of the Ignite endpoints. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted Ignite messages to the affected Ignite server endpoints.

In this long-read, we will take a deeper dive into the details surrounding this vulnerability, including the code snippet that demonstrates the issue, links to original references, and the possible exploits.

Vulnerability Details

In Apache Ignite versions 2.6. and before 2.17., configured Class Serialization Filters are not respected for particular Ignite server endpoints. This vulnerability can be exploited if an attacker creates a custom Ignite message containing an object whose class is present in the Ignite server's classpath and sends it to the affected Ignite server endpoints. Deserialization of such a message could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution on the Apache Ignite server side.

Here is a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

public class IgniteSerializationVulnerability {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        try {
            // Craft a malicious Ignite message
            Object maliciousObject = craftMaliciousObject();
            // Serialize the malicious object before sending it to the Ignite server endpoint
            byte[] serializedMaliciousObject = serialize(maliciousObject);

            // Deserialize the malicious object on the Apache Ignite server side
            Object deserializedObject = deserialize(serializedMaliciousObject);

            // Execute arbitrary code on the server side
            executeArbitraryCode(deserializedObject);
        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

Original References

1. Apache Ignite Security Advisory
2. CVE-2024-52577 - NIST National Vulnerability Database (NVD)

Possible Exploits

Although successful exploitation depends upon several factors such as the presence of the vulnerable class in the server classpath, the possibility of remote code execution cannot be ruled out. An attacker could create a malicious object and use it for various nefarious purposes, including:

Mitigation

To remediate this vulnerability, Apache Ignite has issued a security update for the affected versions. Users are advised to upgrade to the latest Apache Ignite version (2.17 or later) to protect their deployments against this vulnerability. Additionally, users should ensure that they are following best practices for securing Apache Ignite deployments, including the proper configuration of Class Serialization Filters.

Conclusion

In this post, we have analyzed the CVE-2024-52577 vulnerability in Apache Ignite versions 2.6. and before 2.17.. Due to the misconfiguration of Class Serialization Filters in some Ignite server endpoints, there is a possibility of arbitrary code execution upon deserialization of malicious objects. It is crucial for users to update their Apache Ignite deployments to the latest versions and adhere to the best practices of securing their applications to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Timeline

Published on: 02/14/2025 10:15:09 UTC
Last modified on: 02/14/2025 17:15:16 UTC