CVE-2023-49898 Overview
CVE-2023-49898 is a command injection vulnerability affecting Apache StreamPark, a stream processing platform. The vulnerability exists in the project module that integrates Maven's compilation capability. Due to insufficient validation of Maven compilation parameters, authenticated attackers with system-level permissions can inject malicious commands that lead to remote command execution on the underlying server.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with system-level permissions can achieve remote command execution by injecting malicious commands through Maven compilation parameters, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Affected Products
- Apache StreamPark (versions prior to 2.1.2)
Discovery Timeline
- December 15, 2023 - CVE-2023-49898 published to NVD
- November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-49898
Vulnerability Analysis
This command injection vulnerability (CWE-77) allows authenticated users with system-level permissions to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting Apache StreamPark. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input when processing Maven compilation parameters within the project module.
The attack surface requires authentication and elevated privileges, which limits the pool of potential attackers. However, once exploited, the impact is severe as it provides direct command execution capability on the target system with the privileges of the StreamPark application process.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2023-49898 is improper input validation in the Maven compilation parameter handling. The project module accepts user-controlled input for Maven configuration paths and compilation options without adequately sanitizing the input for shell metacharacters or command separators. This allows attackers to break out of the intended context and inject arbitrary shell commands.
Attack Vector
The attack is conducted over the network against authenticated sessions. An attacker with valid credentials and system-level permissions within StreamPark can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious Maven compilation parameters. The attacker can use shell command separators such as || (execute if previous command fails) or && (execute if previous command succeeds) to chain arbitrary commands after the expected Maven configuration path.
For example, an attacker could manipulate the settings file path parameter to include additional commands. Using || allows command execution when compilation fails, while && or & (background execution with nohup) enables command execution upon successful compilation or asynchronous execution respectively. This technique can be leveraged to establish reverse shells, exfiltrate data, or perform other malicious activities on the compromised system.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-49898
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual Maven compilation parameters containing shell metacharacters (||, &&, ;, |, `)
- Unexpected outbound network connections from the StreamPark application process
- Suspicious child processes spawned by the StreamPark application (e.g., nc, bash, sh, curl, wget)
- Anomalous entries in Maven or StreamPark logs showing malformed settings paths
Detection Strategies
- Monitor StreamPark application logs for compilation requests with unusual or malformed Maven configuration paths
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect command injection patterns in request parameters
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify suspicious process execution chains originating from the StreamPark service
- Audit system-level user activities within StreamPark for anomalous behavior patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive logging for all Maven compilation activities within StreamPark
- Configure alerts for network connections to unexpected destinations from the application server
- Monitor file system changes in sensitive directories that could indicate post-exploitation activity
- Implement process monitoring to detect unauthorized command execution by the StreamPark process
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-49898
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade Apache StreamPark to version 2.1.2 or later immediately
- Review system-level user accounts and permissions within StreamPark, removing unnecessary elevated privileges
- Audit recent Maven compilation activities for signs of exploitation
- Implement network segmentation to limit the blast radius of potential compromise
Patch Information
Apache has released version 2.1.2 of StreamPark which addresses this vulnerability. All users should upgrade to this version or later. For additional details, refer to the Apache Mailing List Thread regarding this security issue.
Workarounds
- Restrict system-level permissions to only essential trusted users until the patch can be applied
- Implement strict input validation at the network perimeter using a WAF to filter requests containing shell metacharacters
- Consider temporarily disabling the Maven compilation feature if it is not critical to operations
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the StreamPark service account to minimize the impact of potential exploitation
# Configuration example - Restrict StreamPark service permissions
# Run StreamPark with minimal required privileges
# Ensure the service user cannot write to sensitive directories
# Example: Create dedicated service user with limited permissions
useradd -r -s /sbin/nologin streampark
chown -R streampark:streampark /opt/streampark
chmod 750 /opt/streampark
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
