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Vulnerability Notice: CVE-2023-49070

Vendor:
Apache

Affected Product:
OFBiz

CVSS SCORE:
9.8 of 10 (Critical)

Risk Index:
9.64 of 10 (Critical)

Description

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the XML-RPC component of Apache OFBiz, a widely used open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This pre-authentication remote code execution (RCE) flaw affects versions of Apache OFBiz prior to 18.12.10. The vulnerability arises due to an outdated XML-RPC mechanism that is no longer maintained but remains present in the software. As a result, this issue allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected systems, bypassing authentication mechanisms prematurely. Users are highly recommended to upgrade to version 18.12.10 to mitigate potential risks.

 

Affected Product(s)

Apache OFBiz versions before and including 18.12.09

 

Technical Details

The Apache OFBiz vulnerability CVE-2023-49070 is a consequential exploit arising from the obsolete XML-RPC library that remains part of the system’s architecture despite its deprecation. XML-RPC, a protocol for remote procedure calls using XML to encode calls and HTTP/HTTPS as the transport mechanism, was once a popular choice for implementing distributed functions. However, its lack of maintenance in recent times has opened the door to severe security issues.

Apache OFBiz, a sophisticated ERP solution, utilizes this protocol extensively across its diverse modular system to ensure seamless data integration and business automation processes. In versions prior to 18.12.10, the XML-RPC endpoint is vulnerable due to unsafe deserialization, leading to potential unauthorized executable payload deployment. This is especially critical as the flaw can be exploited without authentication, providing an elevated threat vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise enterprise infrastructures.

The XML-RPC-based RCE vulnerability arises through the mishandling of trusted data supplied to the deserialization method. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending crafted payloads to the XML-RPC endpoint, typically located at “/webtools/control/xmlrpc”, thereby achieving remote code execution pre-authentication. This means that attackers can execute arbitrary code on the server without needing valid credentials. Notably, over the past years, similar vulnerabilities have plagued various products that still incorporate legacy libraries or protocols without proper updates, thereby exposing them to exploitation risks.

Apache OFBiz developers had taken steps towards patching past vulnerabilities, but inadequate patching or oversight resulted in incomplete resolutions. For instance, an authentication bypass-related flaw CVE-2023-51467 was discovered as part of the root cause analysis for CVE-2023-49070, indicating a chain effect from one vulnerability leading to another. Additionally, threat intelligence points towards active exploitation attempts by non-specific adversary groups, given the wide applicability of OFBiz within enterprises that require efficient ERP implementations.

This is further evidenced by multiple proof-of-concept codes available in the public domain, which demonstrate both the ease and effectiveness of exploiting these vulnerabilities in the wild. The Shadowserver Foundation has reported numerous scans targeting this vulnerability, and exploits have been shared encouraging the exploitation of this critical flaw.

The comprehensive fix in version 18.12.10 addresses these issues by removing the vulnerable XML-RPC code and replacing or patching it with alternatives less susceptible to such exploitation methods. Users who continue to use older versions remain at significant risk until they upgrade their systems to the recommended version or apply necessary mitigations.

 

Weakness

The associated weaknesses with this vulnerability are twofold. It primarily involves the deserialization of untrusted data (CWE-502), which is a common yet perilous flaw leading to unauthorized code execution. Furthermore, there’s a case of improper control over the generation of code, leading to code injection vulnerabilities (CWE-94), where attackers can inject and execute arbitrary code.

 

Impact Assessment

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive ERP data or execute arbitrary code on the affected OFBiz systems. This can lead to potential data breaches, loss of enterprise operational control, or use of the compromised system as a launchpad for further attacks within an organization’s network. This security hole can result in severe disruptions to business operations given the foundational role ERP systems play in managing integrated business processes.

 

Active Exploitation

We have observed activity from various cybersecurity watchdog organizations indicating active scans and exploitation attempts across the internet. The Shadowserver Foundation has reported several instances of in-the-wild exploitation targeting this vulnerability, suggesting widespread attempts to identify and compromise vulnerable OFBiz installations.

Ransomware Association

The vulnerability has been associated with ransomware attacks, most notably due to its remote code execution aspect which provides attackers the ability to deploy ransomware payloads post-compromise. This notably serves as the initial vector for ransomware campaigns targeting expansive ERP systems, where the impact is amplified due to compromised data and halted business processes.

 

Mitigation and Resolution

We have released a patch that addresses this vulnerability effectively. Users are strongly encouraged to update their Apache OFBiz installations to version 18.12.10 immediately, which resolves known vulnerabilities by eliminating the deprecated XML-RPC functionality that facilitated remote code execution.

 

Recommendations

  • We strongly recommend that all Apache OFBiz users upgrade to version 18.12.10 immediately.
  • Ensure that all systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches provided by software vendors.
  • Consider deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious web traffic targeting known endpoints such as XML-RPC.
  • Conduct regular security audits to detect and eliminate exposures caused by outdated libraries or protocols within your IT infrastructure.
  • Monitor network traffic for unusual patterns indicating potential unauthorized access or operations.
  • Evaluate your business continuity plans to handle and recover from potential cybersecurity incidents.

 

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