CVE-2024-9408 in Glassfish
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2025
In Eclipse GlassFish since version 6.2.5 it is possible to perform a Server Side Request Forgery attack in specific endpoints.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9408 represents a critical server side request forgery flaw within Eclipse GlassFish application server versions 6.2.5 and later. This security weakness allows remote attackers to manipulate the server into making unintended requests to arbitrary destinations, potentially exposing internal network resources or facilitating further attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects certain endpoints within the GlassFish framework, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without authentication. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are processed by the server's request handling mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-918 category of Server-Side Request Forgery, which is classified as a critical security risk in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting how attackers can leverage exposed endpoints to gain unauthorized access to internal systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's trust model, where external inputs are not properly validated before being used in network requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when GlassFish processes specific HTTP requests containing user-controllable parameters that are subsequently used to construct outbound network requests. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that include URLs or network addresses pointing to internal systems, external malicious servers, or other targets within the network environment. The server's processing logic fails to adequately validate or sanitize these inputs, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access restricted resources. The flaw is particularly concerning because GlassFish serves as a Java EE application server platform that often runs in enterprise environments with complex network topologies and sensitive data. When exploited, this vulnerability can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance on internal network services, exfiltrate data through data leakage channels, or even pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The attack vector typically involves sending crafted HTTP requests to vulnerable endpoints, where the server's response handling logic inadvertently processes attacker-controlled input as part of the request construction process.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-9408 extends beyond immediate data compromise, creating long-term security implications for organizations using affected GlassFish versions. Enterprises may experience unauthorized access to internal services, potential data breaches, and increased attack surface exposure that can facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where GlassFish servers are exposed to untrusted networks or the internet. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is accessed through this vulnerability, especially in industries with strict data protection requirements. The impact is further amplified when considering that GlassFish servers often host critical enterprise applications that handle sensitive business data, customer information, or financial transactions. Network monitoring and incident response teams may struggle to detect these attacks as they can appear as legitimate internal network traffic, making detection and mitigation more challenging. The vulnerability also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks, as attackers can use the compromised server as a pivot point to access other systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Eclipse Foundation, which address the input validation issues in the vulnerable endpoints. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to GlassFish servers, particularly limiting external exposure of administrative interfaces. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures can help prevent malicious parameters from being processed by the server's request handling logic. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter incoming requests for suspicious patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring network traffic for unusual outbound requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing comprehensive logging and alerting mechanisms can help detect unauthorized access attempts or data exfiltration activities. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should consider conducting employee training on secure coding practices and the importance of validating inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications built on the GlassFish platform.