Critical Apache MINA Flaw Allows Remote Code Execution

December 27, 2024December 27, 2024

Apache MINA Vulnerability: Critical Remote Code Execution Flaw Requires Immediate Attention

The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) has recently issued urgent patches to fix a severe vulnerability in the MINA Java network application framework. Tracked as CVE-2024-52046, this vulnerability poses a high risk of remote code execution (RCE) under specific conditions, making it imperative for users to take immediate action. With a CVSS score of 10.0, this flaw affects versions 2.0.X, 2.1.X, and 2.2.X of Apache MINA.

Understanding the CVE-2024-52046 Vulnerability

According to ASF’s advisory released on December 25, 2024, the ObjectSerializationDecoder in Apache MINA uses Java’s native deserialization protocol to handle incoming serialized data. However, it lacks essential security checks, allowing attackers to exploit this deserialization process using specially crafted malicious serialized data. Here’s what you need to know:

Vulnerability Details: The flaw allows remote code execution if the IoBuffer#getObject() method is invoked alongside certain classes like ProtocolCodecFilter and ObjectSerializationCodecFactory.
Mitigation Steps: Users must not only upgrade to the latest version but also explicitly permit the classes that the decoder will accept in the ObjectSerializationDecoder instance. This can be done using one of the three newly introduced methods.

Recent Security Updates from Apache

This critical vulnerability disclosure comes shortly after ASF addressed multiple security issues, including:

Tomcat: CVE-2024-56337
Traffic Control: CVE-2024-45387
HugeGraph-Server: CVE-2024-43441
Struts Web Application Framework: CVE-2024-53677

Earlier this month, a significant security flaw in the Struts framework was also patched, highlighting the ongoing security challenges within various Apache projects. Active attempts to exploit these vulnerabilities have been detected, further emphasizing the need for swift action.

Recommended Actions for Users

Users of affected Apache MINA versions are strongly encouraged to:

Upgrade to the Latest Version: Ensure your installations are updated to the most recent releases.
Review Security Settings: Configure the ObjectSerializationDecoder to accept only trusted classes.
Stay Informed: Regularly check the Apache security advisories for updates.

For further details on this vulnerability, you can check the official Apache advisory here.

Conclusion

The Apache MINA CVE-2024-52046 vulnerability presents a significant threat that must be addressed promptly. By upgrading and implementing the necessary security measures, users can help protect their applications from potential remote code execution attacks.

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