CVE-2024-28752 in CXF
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
A SSRF vulnerability using the Aegis DataBinding in versions of Apache CXF before 4.0.4, 3.6.3 and 3.5.8 allows an attacker to perform SSRF style attacks on webservices that take at least one parameter of any type. Users of other data bindings (including the default databinding) are not impacted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28752 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within Apache CXF web services framework. This vulnerability specifically affects the Aegis DataBinding component and impacts versions prior to 4.0.4, 3.6.3, and 3.5.8, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining legacy systems. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate web service requests in ways that can bypass normal security controls and access internal systems that should otherwise be protected from external access. The vulnerability operates through the data binding mechanism which processes incoming requests and translates them into objects for processing within the web service context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters within the Aegis DataBinding module. When web services utilize this specific data binding approach and accept parameters of any type, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate external inputs that could contain malicious URLs or network addresses. This weakness allows attackers to construct requests that appear legitimate to the web service but actually instruct the service to make requests to internal systems or external malicious endpoints. The flaw specifically manifests when the data binding component processes parameters that could contain URI references, as it does not adequately restrict or validate these references before attempting to resolve them. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-918 as Server-Side Request Forgery, which directly maps to the attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28752 extends beyond simple data exfiltration or unauthorized access to internal systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities against internal networks, potentially discovering sensitive services or systems that are not directly exposed to the internet. The attack surface includes the ability to access internal databases, file systems, or other services that may be protected by network segmentation but are reachable from the web service server itself. Organizations using affected versions of Apache CXF with Aegis DataBinding are particularly vulnerable as the attack can be executed without requiring additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is especially dangerous because it can be exploited through standard web service calls, making detection more challenging as legitimate traffic patterns are preserved while malicious requests are embedded within normal operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center primarily on upgrading to patched versions of Apache CXF where the issue has been resolved through proper input validation and sanitization of URI references within the Aegis DataBinding component. Organizations should immediately assess their web service implementations to identify systems using the affected data binding and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict outbound connections from web service servers can provide defense-in-depth. The use of reverse proxies with proper URL validation and the implementation of strict input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can further reduce the risk. Organizations should also consider disabling the Aegis DataBinding component if it is not essential for their service functionality, as this eliminates the attack vector entirely. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web service traffic patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms ensures rapid response to any suspicious activities that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.