CVE-2024-29868: Apache StreamPipes Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-29868 Overview

CVE-2024-29868 is a Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) vulnerability affecting Apache StreamPipes, specifically within its user self-registration and password recovery mechanism. This insecure random number generation allows attackers to predict recovery tokens within a reasonable timeframe, enabling complete account takeover of targeted user accounts. The vulnerability stems from CWE-338 (Use of Cryptographically Weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator), a common weakness where applications use predictable random values for security-sensitive operations.

Critical Impact

Attackers can predict password recovery tokens and take over user accounts without authentication, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive IoT data pipelines and industrial automation systems managed by StreamPipes.

Affected Products

• Apache StreamPipes versions 0.69.0 through 0.93.0
• Apache StreamPipes user self-registration module
• Apache StreamPipes password recovery mechanism

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-06-24 - CVE CVE-2024-29868 published to NVD
• 2025-07-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-29868

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in Apache StreamPipes' implementation of token generation for user self-registration and password recovery functionality. When a user requests a password reset, the system generates a recovery token that is sent to the user's email address. However, the token generation mechanism relies on a weak Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG) that does not provide sufficient entropy for cryptographic operations.

This weakness allows attackers to perform token prediction attacks. By understanding the PRNG algorithm and potentially observing or influencing the system state, an attacker can generate candidate tokens that have a high probability of matching legitimate recovery tokens. The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely over the network.

The exploitation chain typically involves an attacker triggering a password reset for a target user, then systematically generating and testing predicted tokens against the password reset endpoint. Given the weak PRNG implementation, the search space for valid tokens is significantly reduced, making brute-force prediction feasible within a reasonable timeframe.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-29868 is the use of a non-cryptographically secure random number generator for generating security-critical tokens. Instead of using a cryptographically secure PRNG (CSPRNG) such as java.security.SecureRandom, the application employed a weaker random number generator that produces predictable output. This violates secure coding best practices which mandate cryptographically strong randomness for all security-sensitive operations including session tokens, password reset tokens, and API keys.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based and requires no prior authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely by:

1. Initiating a password reset request for a target user account
2. Analyzing the weak PRNG implementation to predict the generated token
3. Submitting predicted tokens to the password reset endpoint
4. Successfully resetting the password and gaining unauthorized access to the account

The vulnerability mechanism involves predictable token generation due to insufficient randomness in the PRNG implementation. According to the Apache Mailing List Thread, the weakness allows token prediction within a computationally feasible timeframe. Security researchers should consult the OpenWall OSS Security Update for additional technical details regarding the exploitation mechanism.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-29868

Indicators of Compromise

• Multiple password reset requests for the same user account within a short time period
• High volume of failed password reset token validation attempts from a single IP address or range
• Successful password resets followed by immediate login from unfamiliar IP addresses or geolocations
• Unusual API activity patterns targeting the password recovery endpoint

Detection Strategies

• Implement rate limiting monitoring on password reset endpoints to detect brute-force token guessing attempts
• Deploy anomaly detection for authentication-related API endpoints, specifically monitoring for token validation failures
• Configure SIEM alerts for suspicious patterns of password reset requests across multiple accounts
• Monitor application logs for elevated error rates on token validation functions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all password reset and token validation operations
• Implement real-time alerting for threshold-based detection of password reset abuse
• Track and correlate user account changes with preceding password reset activities
• Monitor network traffic for automated requests targeting authentication endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-29868

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache StreamPipes to version 0.95.0 or later immediately
• Audit recent password reset activities for signs of compromise
• Force password resets for all user accounts if exploitation is suspected
• Review and invalidate any active sessions for potentially compromised accounts

Patch Information

Apache has released version 0.95.0 of StreamPipes which addresses this vulnerability by implementing a cryptographically secure random number generator for token generation. Users running affected versions 0.69.0 through 0.93.0 should upgrade immediately. The official security advisory is available via the Apache Mailing List Thread.

Workarounds

• Disable self-registration and password recovery features until the patch can be applied
• Implement additional rate limiting on password reset endpoints at the network or application layer
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to monitor and limit requests to recovery endpoints
• Require administrator-initiated password resets instead of self-service recovery as a temporary measure

# Configuration example - Rate limiting for password reset endpoints (nginx example)
limit_req_zone $binary_remote_addr zone=password_reset:10m rate=1r/m;

location /api/v2/password-recovery {
    limit_req zone=password_reset burst=3 nodelay;
    proxy_pass http://streampipes_backend;
}