CVE-2024-23686 in DependencyCheck
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2024
DependencyCheck for Maven 9.0.0 to 9.0.6, for CLI version 9.0.0 to 9.0.5, and for Ant versions 9.0.0 to 9.0.5, when used in debug mode, allows an attacker to recover the NVD API Key from a log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23686 affects DependencyCheck versions across Maven, CLI, and Ant interfaces within the 9.0.0 to 9.0.6 range. This security flaw specifically manifests when the tool operates in debug mode, creating an unintended information disclosure channel that exposes sensitive authentication credentials. The issue represents a critical concern for organizations relying on dependency checking tools to assess their software supply chain security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper logging practices within the DependencyCheck framework. When debug mode is enabled, the tool logs verbose output including configuration parameters and API credentials to log files. The NVD API Key, which serves as the primary authentication mechanism for accessing the National Vulnerability Database, becomes inadvertently written to these log files. This occurs due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the logging subsystem, allowing sensitive data to bypass normal security controls and persist in accessible file locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. An attacker with access to the system where DependencyCheck is executed can retrieve the NVD API Key from log files, potentially using it to make unauthorized requests to the NVD database or to access other systems that rely on the same API key for authentication. This exposure undermines the security of the entire dependency checking process and could lead to data exfiltration, service abuse, or further compromise of the development environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in continuous integration environments where log files may be stored in accessible locations or shared across multiple systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including disabling debug mode in production environments, implementing proper log file access controls, and configuring log rotation with sensitive data sanitization. The CWE-209 classification applies to this vulnerability as it represents an improper error handling scenario where sensitive information is exposed through error or diagnostic messages. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1566.001 for credential access through credential dumping and T1078 for valid accounts usage. Recommended remediation includes upgrading to patched versions of DependencyCheck, implementing automated log scanning for sensitive data patterns, and establishing comprehensive logging policies that prevent credential exposure in any operational context.