CVE-2024-27138 in Archiva
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2024
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** Incorrect Authorization vulnerability in Apache Archiva. Apache Archiva has a setting to disable user registration, however this restriction can be bypassed. As Apache Archiva has been retired, we do not expect to release a version of Apache Archiva that fixes this issue. You are recommended to look into migrating to a different solution, or isolate your instance from any untrusted users. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27138 represents an incorrect authorization flaw within Apache Archiva, a retired artifact management system that was previously used for storing and managing software components. This security weakness specifically targets the system's user registration controls, where administrators can configure the application to disable new user registrations. The flaw allows malicious actors to circumvent this intended restriction, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization mechanisms in software applications, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on access control measures to protect sensitive data and operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a design flaw in how Apache Archiva handles user registration validation. When administrators disable user registration through system configuration, the application should enforce this restriction consistently across all access points. However, the bypass mechanism allows attackers to create new user accounts despite the configuration settings. This represents a critical failure in the application's authorization model, where the system fails to properly validate user permissions and registration status before granting access privileges. The flaw essentially undermines the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is particularly severe given that Apache Archiva is no longer supported by its maintainers, meaning no security patches or updates are available to address the issue. Organizations that continue to operate unsupported versions of this software face significant risks including unauthorized access to repositories, potential data breaches, and exposure of sensitive artifacts. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistent access to software components, dependencies, and potentially sensitive information stored within the artifact repository. This threat is amplified by the fact that many organizations may not be actively monitoring or maintaining legacy systems, creating extended windows of exposure. The issue directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials obtained through compromise, as unauthorized users could gain access through bypassed registration controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement compensating controls to mitigate the risk. The recommended approach includes isolating Apache Archiva instances from untrusted networks and implementing strict network segmentation to limit access to authorized personnel only. Migration to supported artifact management solutions such as Nexus Repository, JFrog Artifactory, or other modern alternatives is strongly advised to eliminate exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive audits of their legacy systems, implement monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and establish clear retirement policies for unsupported software components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software systems and the risks associated with continuing to operate unsupported applications that may contain known security flaws.