CVE-2024-11994 in APM Server
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
APM server logs could contain parts of the document body from a partially failed bulk index request. Depending on the nature of the document, this could disclose sensitive information in APM Server error logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-11994 resides within the APM Server logging mechanism, specifically concerning how error messages are generated and recorded when bulk indexing operations encounter failures. This issue represents a significant information disclosure concern that could potentially expose sensitive data through server error logs. The flaw manifests when the APM server processes bulk requests that partially fail, resulting in log entries that inadvertently include portions of the document body being indexed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that APM servers typically handle application performance data which may contain personally identifiable information, system credentials, or other sensitive operational details. The logging behavior creates a scenario where attackers who gain access to system logs could extract confidential information from the partially failed indexing operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of error messages within the APM server's bulk indexing error handling code. When a bulk request contains multiple documents and some fail during the indexing process, the server generates error logs to document the failure. However, the implementation fails to properly strip or sanitize sensitive portions of the document content that may be included in these error messages. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and output encoding, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-215 - Information Exposure Through Debug Information. The vulnerability exists because the system does not properly distinguish between legitimate error context information and sensitive data that should never be exposed in log files. The flaw demonstrates poor separation of concerns in the error reporting mechanism, where the logging system does not adequately protect against information leakage during failure conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-11994 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to extract sensitive data from system logs. Organizations using APM servers may unknowingly store confidential information in their error logs, particularly when dealing with applications that process user data, authentication tokens, or proprietary business information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where log files are not properly secured or where multiple system administrators have access to log repositories. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability during post-incident analysis or through unauthorized access to system logging infrastructure to recover sensitive data from error messages. The potential for data exfiltration increases when organizations store logs in centralized repositories or cloud environments where access controls may be insufficient. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could result in compliance violations under data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss standards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-11994 should focus on implementing comprehensive log sanitization procedures and strengthening the error handling mechanisms within the APM server. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the APM server software to address the vulnerability at its source. System administrators should implement log filtering mechanisms that automatically remove or obfuscate sensitive data from error messages before they are written to log files. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices should be enforced throughout the application stack to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Security teams should conduct regular log reviews to identify and remove any instances of sensitive data that may have already been exposed through this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement robust access controls around log files, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access error logs containing potentially sensitive information. The mitigation approach should align with the defense in depth principle and incorporate logging best practices such as those recommended in the mitre attack framework for preventing information disclosure through log files. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar logging vulnerabilities across the entire system infrastructure to prevent cascading information disclosure issues.