CVE-2024-24749 in GeoServer
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2024
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to versions 2.23.5 and 2.24.3, if GeoServer is deployed in the Windows operating system using an Apache Tomcat web application server, it is possible to bypass existing input validation in the GeoWebCache ByteStreamController class and read arbitrary classpath resources with specific file name extensions. If GeoServer is also deployed as a web archive using the data directory embedded in the `geoserver.war` file (rather than an external data directory), it will likely be possible to read specific resources to gain administrator privileges. However, it is very unlikely that production environments will be using the embedded data directory since, depending on how GeoServer is deployed, it will be erased and re-installed (which would also reset to the default password) either every time the server restarts or every time a new GeoServer WAR is installed and is therefore difficult to maintain. An external data directory will always be used if GeoServer is running in standalone mode (via an installer or a binary). Versions 2.23.5 and 2.24.3 contain a patch for the issue. Some workarounds are available. One may change from a Windows environment to a Linux environment; or change from Apache Tomcat to Jetty application server. One may also disable anonymous access to the embeded GeoWebCache administration and status pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24749 represents a critical path traversal flaw within GeoServer's GeoWebCache component, specifically affecting deployments on Windows operating systems using Apache Tomcat web application server. This security weakness exists in the ByteStreamController class where input validation mechanisms can be bypassed through carefully crafted file name extensions, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary classpath resources. The flaw particularly impacts systems where GeoServer operates with embedded data directories within the geoserver.war file rather than external data directories, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of file path inputs within the GeoWebCache ByteStreamController, which fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file system requests. This allows attackers to traverse the classpath and access sensitive resources that should remain protected. When GeoServer is deployed with an embedded data directory, the vulnerability becomes even more severe as it may potentially grant administrative privileges to attackers who successfully exploit the path traversal mechanism. The attack vector specifically targets the Windows deployment environment where the file system handling differs from Unix-like systems, making this flaw particularly relevant to organizations running GeoServer on Windows servers with Apache Tomcat.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full administrative control of affected GeoServer instances. The risk is amplified when considering that many deployments use embedded data directories for convenience, though this practice is generally discouraged in production environments due to maintenance complexities and data persistence issues. Organizations using embedded configurations face the highest risk as the vulnerability could allow attackers to access configuration files, credential stores, and other sensitive administrative resources that would otherwise be protected. The patch released in versions 2.23.5 and 2.24.3 addresses the core input validation bypass issue, but organizations must carefully evaluate their deployment configurations to ensure proper mitigation.
Security practitioners should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting patterns, representing a classic example of insufficient input validation that can lead to privilege escalation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Impair Defenses, as it enables adversaries to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, migrating from Windows to Linux environments, or switching from Apache Tomcat to Jetty application servers. Additional protective measures involve disabling anonymous access to embedded GeoWebCache administration interfaces and ensuring that external data directories are configured in production deployments to avoid the inherent risks associated with embedded configurations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications, particularly those handling file system operations in multi-platform environments.