CVE-2024-27348: Apache HugeGraph RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-27348 Overview

CVE-2024-27348 is a critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Apache HugeGraph-Server, an open-source graph database system. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable servers through network-based attacks. The flaw exists in Apache HugeGraph-Server versions 1.0.0 through 1.2.x when running on Java 8 or Java 11 environments without proper authentication controls enabled.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction or authentication to exploit, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise graph database infrastructure. Apache has addressed this vulnerability in version 1.3.0 and recommends enabling the authentication system as an additional security measure.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Unauthenticated attackers can achieve complete system compromise through remote code execution, potentially leading to data theft, lateral movement, and full infrastructure takeover.

Affected Products

• Apache HugeGraph-Server versions 1.0.0 to 1.2.x
• Deployments running on Java 8 runtime environment
• Deployments running on Java 11 runtime environment

Discovery Timeline

• April 22, 2024 - CVE-2024-27348 published to NVD
• October 23, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-27348

Vulnerability Analysis

This Remote Code Execution vulnerability in Apache HugeGraph-Server stems from improper access control (CWE-284) within the server component. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system without requiring any form of authentication or prior access to the system.

Apache HugeGraph-Server provides a RESTful API for graph database operations, and this vulnerability can be exploited through specially crafted requests to the server. When successfully exploited, attackers gain the ability to execute system commands with the same privileges as the HugeGraph-Server process, typically resulting in complete server compromise.

The active exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild, combined with its listing in the CISA KEV catalog and high EPSS score (94.344% exploitation probability), indicates that threat actors are actively targeting vulnerable HugeGraph deployments. Organizations using affected versions should treat remediation as an urgent priority.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-27348 is improper access control within the Apache HugeGraph-Server component. The server fails to properly restrict access to functionality that can be leveraged for command execution, allowing unauthenticated users to invoke dangerous operations. This access control weakness enables attackers to bypass security boundaries and execute arbitrary code on the host system.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to an exposed HugeGraph-Server instance over the network. The attack characteristics include:

• Network accessibility: The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network
• No authentication required: Attackers do not need valid credentials to exploit the flaw
• No user interaction: Exploitation does not require any action from legitimate users
• Full system impact: Successful exploitation can result in complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise

The vulnerability affects HugeGraph-Server instances that are accessible over the network without proper authentication mechanisms enabled, making internet-facing deployments particularly vulnerable.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27348

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected outbound network connections from HugeGraph-Server processes to unknown external hosts
• Unusual process spawning from the Java process running HugeGraph-Server, particularly shell commands or script interpreters
• Anomalous HTTP requests to HugeGraph-Server API endpoints with suspicious payloads or encoded commands
• Evidence of post-exploitation activities such as new user accounts, scheduled tasks, or unauthorized file modifications

Detection Strategies

• Monitor HugeGraph-Server API access logs for unusual request patterns or requests containing command injection indicators
• Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify exploitation attempts targeting HugeGraph-Server endpoints
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious process chains originating from Java processes
• Correlate authentication failures and unusual API activity with subsequent system-level command execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for HugeGraph-Server API requests and authentication events
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on command execution patterns associated with Java-based applications
• Monitor for reconnaissance activity targeting graph database ports and services (default port 8080)
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement attempts from compromised HugeGraph servers

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27348

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache HugeGraph-Server to version 1.3.0 or later immediately
• Enable the HugeGraph authentication system following the Apache HugeGraph Authentication Guide
• Restrict network access to HugeGraph-Server to authorized IP addresses and networks only
• Review system logs for indicators of prior exploitation attempts or compromise

Patch Information

Apache has released version 1.3.0 of HugeGraph-Server which addresses this vulnerability. Users must upgrade to this version and additionally enable the authentication system for complete protection. The patch should be applied to systems running Java 11, as this is the recommended runtime environment for the fixed version.

For official patch details and upgrade instructions, refer to the Apache Mailing List Discussion regarding this security issue.

Workarounds

• Enable user authentication in HugeGraph-Server configuration to require credentials for all API access
• Place HugeGraph-Server behind a reverse proxy with authentication and access control
• Implement network-level access controls to restrict access to trusted IP addresses only
• Consider temporarily disabling HugeGraph-Server if immediate patching is not possible and the service is exposed to untrusted networks

# Example: Enable authentication in HugeGraph-Server
# Edit the hugegraph.properties configuration file

# Enable authentication system
auth.require_authentication=true

# Configure authentication backend
auth.authenticator=com.baidu.hugegraph.auth.StandardAuthenticator

# Restart HugeGraph-Server after configuration changes
./bin/stop-hugegraph.sh
./bin/start-hugegraph.sh