CVE-2024-23833 in OpenRefine
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2024
OpenRefine is a free, open source power tool for working with messy data and improving it. A jdbc attack vulnerability exists in OpenRefine(version
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-23833 represents a critical jdbc attack vector within OpenRefine, a widely-used open source data cleaning and transformation tool that processes large datasets for researchers and data scientists. This security flaw specifically targets the database connectivity functionality that OpenRefine employs when connecting to external databases through jdbc drivers, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the application's database interaction capabilities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the jdbc connection mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious database commands that could be executed with the privileges of the OpenRefine application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper sanitization of user-supplied database connection parameters and query inputs. When OpenRefine processes database connections or executes queries through jdbc interfaces, the application fails to adequately validate or escape input data, creating a path for sql injection attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and represents a direct threat to the integrity of database operations within the OpenRefine environment. Attackers can potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary database commands, access sensitive information, modify or delete data, and potentially escalate privileges within the database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23833 extends beyond simple data compromise, as OpenRefine is frequently used in research environments, academic institutions, and enterprise data processing workflows where sensitive information may be handled. Organizations utilizing OpenRefine for data analysis and cleaning operations face significant risk of unauthorized data access, data corruption, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where OpenRefine connects to databases containing personal information, financial records, or proprietary research data, creating potential regulatory compliance issues under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss. Additionally, successful exploitation could enable attackers to establish persistence within the data processing environment, potentially leading to extended unauthorized access periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23833 should focus on immediate patch application from the OpenRefine development team, followed by comprehensive input validation implementation within database connection interfaces. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit database access from OpenRefine installations, enforce strict database user permissions, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious jdbc traffic. The remediation process must include thorough code review of all database interaction components, implementation of prepared statements for all jdbc operations, and regular security assessments of database connectivity configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous jdbc query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with mitre ATT&CK framework techniques for database attacks and command and control operations.