CVE-2024-23114: Apache Camel Deserialization Vulnerability

CVE-2024-23114 Overview

CVE-2024-23114 is a critical insecure deserialization vulnerability affecting the Apache Camel CassandraQL Component's AggregationRepository. The vulnerability allows attackers to deserialize malicious payloads under specific conditions, potentially leading to remote code execution on affected systems.

Apache Camel is a widely-used open-source integration framework that provides enterprise integration patterns for connecting various systems and applications. The CassandraQL component enables integration with Apache Cassandra databases, and its AggregationRepository feature stores aggregated exchange data. The unsafe deserialization in this component creates a significant attack surface for organizations using affected versions.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting unsafe deserialization in the CassandraQL AggregationRepository component, potentially compromising the entire application server and connected systems.

Affected Products

• Apache Camel versions 3.0.0 through 3.21.3
• Apache Camel version 3.22.0
• Apache Camel versions 4.0.0 through 4.0.3
• Apache Camel versions 4.1.0 through 4.3.x

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-02-20 - CVE-2024-23114 published to NVD
• 2025-04-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-23114

Vulnerability Analysis

This insecure deserialization vulnerability (CWE-502) exists in the Apache Camel CassandraQL component, specifically within the AggregationRepository implementation. The AggregationRepository is used to persist and retrieve aggregated Exchange objects during Camel route processing. When the repository deserializes stored data from Cassandra, it fails to properly validate or filter the incoming byte stream before converting it to Java objects.

Deserialization vulnerabilities in Java applications are particularly dangerous because Java's native serialization mechanism can instantiate arbitrary classes present in the application's classpath. When an attacker can control serialized data that gets deserialized by a vulnerable application, they can craft malicious payloads using "gadget chains" - sequences of existing classes that, when deserialized in a specific order, execute arbitrary code.

The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, as remote code execution allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the application. This can lead to data exfiltration, lateral movement within the network, installation of backdoors, or complete denial of service.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the unsafe deserialization practices within the CassandraQL AggregationRepository. The component accepts serialized Java objects from Cassandra storage and deserializes them without implementing proper security controls such as class whitelisting, type filtering, or look-ahead deserialization. This allows malicious serialized objects to be processed when retrieved from the database, triggering arbitrary code execution during the deserialization process.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker who can inject malicious serialized data into the Cassandra database used by the AggregationRepository, or who can manipulate the communication between Camel and Cassandra, can exploit this vulnerability. The attack typically involves:

1. Identifying an Apache Camel instance using the CassandraQL component with AggregationRepository
2. Crafting a malicious serialized Java object payload using known gadget chains (such as those from ysoserial or similar tools)
3. Injecting the payload into the Cassandra database tables used by the AggregationRepository
4. Waiting for the Camel application to retrieve and deserialize the malicious data, triggering code execution

The vulnerability manifests when the AggregationRepository deserializes stored aggregation data. The unsafe deserialization occurs without proper validation of the incoming object types, allowing arbitrary class instantiation. For detailed technical information, refer to the Apache Camel Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23114

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected process spawning from Java applications running Apache Camel
• Unusual network connections originating from Camel application servers
• Suspicious modifications to Cassandra database tables used by AggregationRepository
• Anomalous serialized objects in Cassandra data stores with unfamiliar class signatures
• Error logs indicating deserialization failures or class instantiation exceptions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Java applications for execution of suspicious classes commonly used in deserialization gadget chains (e.g., ysoserial payload classes)
• Implement network monitoring for unusual outbound connections from Camel application servers
• Review Cassandra database audit logs for unauthorized data modifications to AggregationRepository tables
• Deploy runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect deserialization attacks in Java applications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the CassandraQL component to capture deserialization events
• Implement application performance monitoring (APM) to detect unusual application behavior patterns
• Set up alerts for Java process memory anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Monitor Cassandra query patterns for suspicious INSERT operations targeting aggregation tables

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23114

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache Camel to version 4.4.0 or later immediately
• For organizations on the 4.0.x LTS stream, upgrade to version 4.0.4
• For organizations still on 3.x versions, upgrade to 3.21.4 or 3.22.1
• Audit all Camel deployments to identify instances using the CassandraQL component with AggregationRepository
• Implement network segmentation to limit access to Cassandra databases from untrusted networks

Patch Information

Apache has released patched versions across all supported release streams. The recommended upgrade paths are:

• Latest Version: Upgrade to 4.4.0 (recommended for all new deployments)
• 4.0.x LTS Stream: Upgrade to 4.0.4
• 3.x Stream: Upgrade to 3.21.4 or 3.22.1

Detailed patch information and release notes are available in the Apache Camel Security Advisory.

Workarounds

• If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling the CassandraQL AggregationRepository feature temporarily
• Implement strict network access controls to limit which systems can communicate with Cassandra databases
• Deploy a Java agent or security manager to restrict dangerous deserialization operations
• Consider using alternative aggregation repository implementations that do not rely on Java serialization

# Configuration example - Verify Apache Camel version
# Check current Camel version in Maven projects
grep -r "camel-core" pom.xml | grep version

# Update to patched version in pom.xml
# For 4.x users (recommended):
# <camel.version>4.4.0</camel.version>

# For 4.0.x LTS users:
# <camel.version>4.0.4</camel.version>

# For 3.x users:
# <camel.version>3.21.4</camel.version>
# or
# <camel.version>3.22.1</camel.version>