CVE-2024-47208 CVE-2024-48962: Apache OFBiz Exposed to Remote Code Execution

In the attack described, the vulnerability CVE-2024-47208 in Apache OFBiz allows attackers to exploit Groovy expressions through URL manipulation, leading to remote code execution. This is achieved by combining Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) and Code Injection flaws, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server. BlueRock's Container Memory Namespace Isolation mechanism effectively mitigates this threat by ensuring that the physical memory used by user-space applications is strongly isolated. This isolation prevents applications in one namespace from accessing memory in another, thereby thwarting any attempts at privilege escalation that could arise from such code execution vulnerabilities.

• T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution: The article describes how CVE-2024-47208 allows attackers to inject Groovy expressions through manipulated URLs, leading to remote code execution. This indicates the use of 'Exploitation for Client Execution' as attackers are exploiting the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the server. The relevant text is: 'This vulnerability stems from OFBiz’s handling of URLs, which allows remote attackers to inject Groovy expressions. By manipulating specific URLs, malicious actors can trigger the execution of arbitrary code on the server.'
• T1189: Drive-by Compromise: The article also mentions that CVE-2024-47208 involves a combination of Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) and Code Injection. SSRF is being used to access internal systems and services by exploiting how the server processes URLs. The relevant text is: 'This vulnerability arises from a combination of Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) and Code Injection flaws.'
• T1649: Steal or Forge Authentication Certificates: For CVE-2024-48962, the article explains that attackers can bypass SameSite protections to conduct Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. This indicates the use of 'Cross-Site Request Forgery' where attackers craft malicious requests that appear to originate from the victim’s browser. The relevant text is: 'By exploiting this flaw, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from the victim’s browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data breaches.'
• T1221: Template Injection: The article also mentions improper neutralization of special elements within OFBiz’s template engine as part of CVE-2024-48962. This points to 'Template Injection' where attackers inject malicious code into templates. The relevant text is: 'This vulnerability involves a combination of Code Injection, CSRF, and improper neutralization of special elements within OFBiz’s template engine.'

F1: Exploitation of CVE-2024-47208 leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via Groovy expression injection facilitated by Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF).

• Attacker identifies a vulnerable Apache OFBiz instance running a version prior to 18.12.17.
• Attacker crafts a malicious URL targeting an OFBiz endpoint vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF). (Cited from: "This vulnerability arises from a combination of Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) and Code Injection flaws.", "manipulating specific URLs")
  • BR-59: Cloud IMDS Firewall (AWS) - This mechanism is potentially applicable if the OFBiz instance is running on AWS and the attacker crafts the SSRF payload specifically to target the AWS Instance Metadata Service (IMDS) to steal credentials or gather information. BlueRock would intercept and block unauthorized requests to the IMDS endpoint.
• Within the manipulated URL or parameters passed via SSRF, the attacker includes specially crafted Groovy expressions designed for malicious execution. (Cited from: "allows remote attackers to inject Groovy expressions", "Code Injection flaws")
• The OFBiz server processes the malicious URL, triggering the SSRF component which, in turn, causes the injected Groovy code to be executed by the server's Groovy interpreter (running on the JVM). (Cited from: "trigger the execution of arbitrary code on the server", "Exploiting Groovy Expressions for Remote Code Execution")
  • BR-74: Java OS Command Injection Prevention - This mechanism is applicable because the injected Groovy code runs within the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). If this code attempts to execute operating system commands (e.g., spawning a shell, running binaries), this mechanism would detect and block such attempts originating from the Java process.
  • BR-48: Java Deserialization Protection - This mechanism might be applicable if the Groovy code execution path involves or triggers Java deserialization of untrusted data originating from the network, and that deserialized object subsequently attempts to execute OS-level commands. BlueRock would block the OS command execution based on the behavior.
  • BR-79: Java Classpath Protection - This mechanism could be applicable if the injected Groovy code attempts to dynamically load malicious Java classes or libraries from the network or unauthorized locations to facilitate RCE. BlueRock would detect and block the loading of classes originating from the network.
  • BR-41: Container Memory Namespace Isolation - This mechanism is applicable as a general container security measure. By isolating the memory space of the OFBiz container, it can help contain the impact of the code execution, preventing the compromised process from directly accessing the memory of other isolated processes or containers on the same host, potentially hindering lateral movement or broader system compromise.
• Successful execution of the injected Groovy code grants the attacker Remote Code Execution (RCE) capabilities on the OFBiz server, potentially allowing system takeover. (Cited from: "execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems", "effectively taking control of the system")
  • BR-41: Container Memory Namespace Isolation - This mechanism applies by isolating the OFBiz container's memory, limiting the RCE's ability to directly interfere with or access memory belonging to other containers or the host, thus containing the immediate blast radius.
  • BR-74: Java OS Command Injection Prevention - This mechanism applies by blocking attempts from the compromised Java/Groovy process to execute further OS-level commands, limiting the attacker's actions post-initial execution.

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F2: Exploitation of CVE-2024-48962 to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks by bypassing SameSite cookie protections, potentially combined with template injection.

• Attacker identifies a vulnerable Apache OFBiz instance (prior to 18.12.17) and a target user logged into that instance.
• Attacker identifies a sensitive action within OFBiz that can be triggered via a web request (e.g., changing configuration, creating users, modifying data).
• Attacker crafts a malicious request (e.g., hosted on an attacker-controlled website, sent via email) designed to trigger the target action in OFBiz. (Cited from: "craft malicious requests that appear to originate from the victim’s browser")
• The attacker leverages the CVE-2024-48962 flaw to bypass SameSite restrictions, ensuring the victim's browser includes necessary authentication cookies when sending the cross-site request to the OFBiz instance. (Cited from: "enables attackers to bypass SameSite restrictions, a crucial security mechanism designed to prevent Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks")
• The attack may involve exploiting improper neutralization of special elements within OFBiz's template engine to facilitate the CSRF or potentially inject code client-side or server-side depending on the template context. (Cited from: "improper neutralization of special elements within OFBiz’s template engine", "This vulnerability involves a combination of Code Injection, CSRF, and improper neutralization of special elements...")
  • BR-70: Back-Link Directory Traversal - This mechanism is potentially applicable if the template injection flaw allows or is used in conjunction with directory traversal payloads (e.g., ../) within file path requests handled by the application layer. BlueRock would detect and block file IO attempts using such traversal patterns originating from a process that also accepted network packets containing them.
  • BR-74: Java OS Command Injection Prevention - This mechanism is applicable if the server-side template injection leads to the execution of arbitrary OS commands from within the OFBiz Java process. BlueRock would detect and block these command execution attempts.
  • BR-41: Container Memory Namespace Isolation - This mechanism provides general protection by isolating the container's memory, potentially limiting the impact if the template injection leads to more severe code execution scenarios.
• The victim interacts with the attacker's crafted content (e.g., visits the malicious webpage), causing their browser to send the forged request to the OFBiz server.
• The OFBiz server receives the request, validates the user's session via the cookies (due to the SameSite bypass), and executes the unauthorized action on behalf of the victim. (Cited from: "potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data breaches")
  • BR-41: Container Memory Namespace Isolation - This mechanism applies by ensuring the OFBiz container operates in an isolated memory space. While not preventing the CSRF action itself, it helps contain potential follow-on effects if the unauthorized action leads to further compromise attempts within the container.
  • BR-52: Data Resource Mandatory Access Control - This mechanism is applicable if the unauthorized action involves a non-allowlisted binary (like the Java process, if not explicitly permitted for certain actions) attempting to modify data in critical, protected directories. BlueRock would block the access.
  • BR-75: Critical Directory Write Protection - This mechanism is applicable if the unauthorized action attempts to write to directories specifically designated as critical and write-protected by policy. BlueRock would block the write attempt irrespective of the process.
  • BR-91: Sensitive File Access - This mechanism is applicable if the unauthorized action involves accessing or modifying files explicitly defined as sensitive (e.g., configuration files with credentials). BlueRock would block or alert on the access attempt.