CVE-2024-32113: Apache OFBiz Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2024-32113 Overview

CVE-2024-32113 is a critical Path Traversal vulnerability affecting Apache OFBiz, an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass directory restrictions and access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, remote code execution, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all Apache OFBiz versions prior to 18.12.13.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild and has been added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations running vulnerable Apache OFBiz instances face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential remote code execution.

Affected Products

• Apache OFBiz versions before 18.12.13
• All deployments running unpatched Apache OFBiz ERP systems
• Enterprise environments utilizing Apache OFBiz for business operations

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-05-08 - CVE-2024-32113 published to NVD
• 2025-10-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-32113

Vulnerability Analysis

This Path Traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists due to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory within Apache OFBiz. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate file path inputs to traverse outside the application's intended directory boundaries. By exploiting insufficient input validation on file path parameters, attackers can construct malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to access arbitrary files on the system.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability, combined with no authentication requirements and low attack complexity, makes it particularly dangerous for internet-facing Apache OFBiz deployments. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-32113 stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied path inputs within Apache OFBiz. The application fails to properly restrict file path operations to authorized directories, allowing malicious path traversal sequences to escape the intended directory context. This improper pathname limitation enables attackers to reference files and directories outside the web application's root folder.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no user interaction or prior authentication. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to vulnerable Apache OFBiz endpoints. The malicious requests contain path traversal sequences designed to navigate the filesystem hierarchy and access restricted resources.

The exploitation mechanism typically involves:

1. Identifying vulnerable endpoints that process file path parameters
2. Injecting directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../, ..%2f, or encoded variants)
3. Accessing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or system resources
4. Potentially chaining with other vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution

Technical details and exploitation methods can be found in the Apache JIRA Issue OFBIZ-13006 and the Openwall OSS Security List.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-32113

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/, or other encoded variants targeting OFBiz endpoints
• Unusual file access patterns in web server logs indicating attempts to read files outside the webroot
• Access attempts to sensitive configuration files like /etc/passwd, application configuration files, or credential stores
• Web application firewall (WAF) alerts for directory traversal attempts against Apache OFBiz instances

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Enable verbose logging on Apache OFBiz instances and monitor for suspicious file access attempts
• Implement intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures targeting known CVE-2024-32113 exploitation patterns
• Conduct regular vulnerability scanning to identify unpatched Apache OFBiz deployments

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP access logs for unusual patterns including encoded characters and traversal sequences
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive system files or configuration directories
• Track and investigate any unauthorized read operations on files outside the OFBiz application directory
• Review the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability entry for CVE-2024-32113 for updated threat intelligence

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-32113

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 18.12.13 or later immediately, as this version contains the security fix
• If immediate patching is not possible, restrict network access to Apache OFBiz instances to trusted IP ranges only
• Implement web application firewall rules to block path traversal attempts as a temporary measure
• Review access logs for signs of prior exploitation and initiate incident response if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

Apache has released version 18.12.13 of OFBiz which addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should download the patched version from the Apache OFBiz Download Page and apply it immediately. Given the active exploitation status and CISA KEV listing, patching should be treated as an emergency priority.

For detailed security information and additional advisories, refer to the Apache OFBiz Security Page.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation on all file path parameters at the application or proxy layer
• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF in front of Apache OFBiz to filter malicious path traversal requests
• Restrict filesystem permissions to limit the impact of successful path traversal attacks
• Isolate Apache OFBiz instances in network segments with minimal access to sensitive resources

# Example WAF rule pattern to block common path traversal attempts
# Add to your web application firewall or reverse proxy configuration
# Block requests containing directory traversal sequences
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains ../" "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Path Traversal Attempt Blocked'"
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/|%2e%2e%2f)" "id:1002,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Encoded Path Traversal Blocked'"