CVE-2024-23946: Apache OFBiz Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2024-23946 Overview

CVE-2024-23946 is a path traversal vulnerability in Apache OFBiz, an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The flaw allows remote attackers to perform unauthorized file inclusion by manipulating path parameters processed by the application. Apache OFBiz is widely deployed for e-commerce, customer relationship management, and supply chain operations across enterprise environments.

The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The Apache OFBiz project resolved the issue in version 18.12.12. Administrators running earlier releases should upgrade immediately to prevent exposure of application files to unauthenticated network attackers.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can traverse directory boundaries to include and read sensitive files served by the Apache OFBiz application.

Affected Products

Apache OFBiz versions prior to 18.12.12
Deployments exposing the OFBiz web interface to untrusted networks
Enterprise ERP, e-commerce, and CRM instances built on Apache OFBiz

Discovery Timeline

2024-02-29 - CVE-2024-23946 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-23946

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a path traversal issue [CWE-22] in Apache OFBiz that enables file inclusion. The affected code paths do not sufficiently restrict user-supplied input used to construct file references. An attacker can craft request parameters containing traversal sequences such as ../ to escape the intended directory and access files outside the permitted scope.

Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, exposed OFBiz instances can be probed and exploited remotely. The impact is confined to information disclosure, with no direct effect on integrity or availability of the host system. See the Apache OFBiz Release Notes 18.12.12 for the official fix description.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient validation and canonicalization of path-related parameters before they are used to resolve files on the server. Without strict sanitization, directory traversal metacharacters are preserved and interpreted by the filesystem APIs, allowing requests to resolve outside the intended base directory. The Apache tracking issue is documented in Apache JIRA OFBIZ-12884.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker submits an HTTP request to a vulnerable OFBiz endpoint that accepts a path or file reference parameter. By injecting relative path segments, the attacker causes the application to include or read files outside of the designated resource directory. Successful requests return the contents of targeted files to the attacker, which can reveal configuration data, application internals, or other low-sensitivity information available to the OFBiz process. Refer to the Apache OFBiz Discussion Thread for additional context.

No verified public exploit code is included here. See the Openwall OSS-Security Mailing List disclosure for technical references.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-23946

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to OFBiz endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded variants in query or form parameters
Unexpected access to internal file paths or configuration files reflected in OFBiz access logs
Repeated probing requests from a single source targeting OFBiz view handlers or controller URIs

Detection Strategies

Review OFBiz webapp access logs for parameter values containing directory traversal patterns and URL-encoded equivalents
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag or block requests containing traversal payloads targeting OFBiz request paths
Correlate anomalous HTTP 200 responses to atypical file paths with the source IP addresses issuing those requests

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on access attempts to sensitive filesystem locations referenced by the OFBiz process user
Monitor for new or unusual outbound connections from the OFBiz host immediately following suspicious inbound requests
Track version banners and installed OFBiz builds across the environment to confirm patched state over time

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-23946

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade all Apache OFBiz deployments to version 18.12.12 or later using the Apache OFBiz Download Page
Restrict network exposure of OFBiz administrative and application endpoints to trusted networks or VPN-only access
Audit recent access logs for signs of traversal probing or file inclusion attempts prior to patch deployment

Patch Information

Apache has released OFBiz 18.12.12 to resolve CVE-2024-23946. The release notes and remediation details are available at the Apache OFBiz Release Notes 18.12.12 and Apache OFBiz Security Information pages. Apply the upgrade across all production, staging, and test environments to eliminate the vulnerable code paths.

Workarounds

Place the OFBiz application behind a reverse proxy or WAF configured to block directory traversal sequences in request parameters
Enforce strict allowlists on request parameters that reference files or templates where feasible via proxy rules
Limit filesystem permissions of the OFBiz service account to the minimum paths required for operation

bash

# Example reverse proxy rule to block traversal payloads targeting OFBiz
# (adapt to your WAF or nginx configuration)
if ($args ~* "(\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/)") {
    return 403;
}