CVE-2024-24749: Classpath resource disclosure in GWC Web Resource API on Windows / Tomcat
Impact
If GeoServer is deployed in the Windows operating system using an Apache Tomcat web application server, it is possible to bypass existing input validation in the GeoWebCache ByteStreamController class and read arbitrary classpath resources with specific file name extensions.
If GeoServer is also deployed as a web archive using the data directory embedded in the geoserver.war file (rather than an external data directory), it will likely be possible to read specific resources to gain administrator privileges. However, it is very unlikely that production environments will be using the embedded data directory since, depending on how GeoServer is deployed, it will be erased and re-installed (which would also reset to the default password) either every time the server restarts or every time a new GeoServer WAR is installed and is therefore difficult to maintain. An external data directory will always be used if GeoServer is running in standalone mode (via an installer or a binary).
Patches
https://github.com/GeoWebCache/geowebcache/pull/1211
Workarounds
Change environment:
Change from Windows operating system. This vulnerability depends on Windows file paths so Linux and Mac OS are not vulnerable. Change from Apache Tomcat application server. Jetty and WildFly are confirmed to not be vulnerable. Other application servers have not been tested and may be vulnerable.
Disable anonymous access to the embeded GeoWebCache administration and status pages:
1. Navigate to Security > Authentication Page 2. Locate Filter Chains heading 3. Select the web filter filter chain (ant pattern /web/,/gwc/rest/web/,/) 4. Remove ,/gwc/rest/web/ from the pattern (so that /web/,/ is left). 5. Save the changes
References
CVE-Pending
Other sources
GeoServer is an open source server that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Prior to versions 2.23.5 and 2.24.3, if GeoServer is deployed in the Windows operating system using an Apache Tomcat web application server, it is possible to bypass existing input validation in the GeoWebCache ByteStreamController class and read arbitrary classpath resources with specific file name extensions. If GeoServer is also deployed as a web archive using the data directory embedded in the geoserver.war file (rather than an external data directory), it will likely be possible to read specific resources to gain administrator privileges. However, it is very unlikely that production environments will be using the embedded data directory since, depending on how GeoServer is deployed, it will be erased and re-installed (which would also reset to the default password) either every time the server restarts or every time a new GeoServer WAR is installed and is therefore difficult to maintain. An external data directory will always be used if GeoServer is running in standalone mode (via an installer or a binary). Versions 2.23.5 and 2.24.3 contain a patch for the issue. Some workarounds are available. One may change from a Windows environment to a Linux environment; or change from Apache Tomcat to Jetty application server. One may also disable anonymous access to the embeded GeoWebCache administration and status pages.
— NVD
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2024-24749?
CVE-2024-24749 has a high severity due to the potential for input validation bypass and unauthorized access to sensitive classpath resources.
How do I fix CVE-2024-24749?
To fix CVE-2024-24749, upgrade GeoServer to version 2.24.3 or 2.23.5, depending on the specific package in use.
Which versions of GeoServer are affected by CVE-2024-24749?
CVE-2024-24749 affects GeoServer versions from 2.24.0 up to 2.24.3 and versions below 2.23.5.
What type of systems are impacted by CVE-2024-24749?
CVE-2024-24749 impacts GeoServer deployments on Windows systems using the Apache Tomcat web application server.
Can CVE-2024-24749 lead to data leakage?
Yes, CVE-2024-24749 can potentially lead to data leakage as it allows the reading of arbitrary classpath resources.