Race Condition Vulnerability in Apache Tomcat Leading to Remote Code Execution

CVE-2024-50379

What is CVE-2024-50379?

CVE-2024-50379 is a serious security vulnerability found in Apache Tomcat, a widely used open-source application server that supports Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages (JSP) technologies. This vulnerability arises from a race condition during JSP compilation, which can allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely, particularly on case-insensitive file systems where the default servlet is enabled for write operations. The potential for remote code execution greatly undermines the integrity and security of applications running on Apache Tomcat, jeopardizing sensitive data and enabling unauthorized control over server resources.

Technical Details

The vulnerability is identified as a Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition, which occurs when the validation of a condition and its subsequent use are not synchronized properly. In the context of Apache Tomcat, this affects versions ranging from 11.0.0-M1 to 11.0.1, 10.1.0-M1 to 10.1.33, and 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.97. When the default servlet has write access, an attacker can exploit this race condition to gain elevated privileges, leading to remote execution of malicious code. Users are advised to upgrade to Apache Tomcat versions 11.0.2, 10.1.34, or 9.0.98 to address this vulnerability.

Potential Impact of CVE-2024-50379

1. Unauthorized Remote Code Execution: Attackers can potentially execute arbitrary code on affected servers, leading to complete system compromise.

2. Data Breaches: With unauthorized access to server resources, sensitive data can be stolen, altered, or deleted, resulting in significant financial and reputational damage to affected organizations.

3. Malware Deployment: Compromised servers can serve as a platform for deploying further malware, which can spread within an organization's network, potentially leading to broader security incidents, including ransomware attacks.

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