CVE-2024-45693: Apache CloudStack CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2024-45693 Overview

CVE-2024-45693 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability [CWE-352] affecting the Apache CloudStack web management interface. The flaw exists because the application fails to validate the origin of incoming requests. Authenticated users browsing attacker-controlled content can be tricked into submitting forged requests against the CloudStack management server.

Successful exploitation allows an attacker to inherit the privileges of the authenticated user. This can lead to account takeover, unauthorized resource access, data exposure, and disruption of cloud workloads managed through the platform.

Critical Impact
Authenticated Apache CloudStack users can be forced to execute privileged administrative actions, leading to account takeover and compromise of managed cloud resources.

Affected Products

Apache CloudStack 4.15.1.0 through 4.18.2.3
Apache CloudStack 4.19.0.0 through 4.19.1.1
Apache CloudStack web management interface

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-16 - CVE-2024-45693 published to NVD
2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-45693

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the Apache CloudStack web interface, which processes state-changing API requests without verifying the request origin. The application does not check the Origin or Referer headers and does not require a per-session anti-CSRF token bound to authenticated sessions.

When an authenticated CloudStack user visits an attacker-controlled page, the browser automatically attaches session cookies to cross-origin requests targeting the CloudStack management endpoint. The server processes these forged requests as legitimate user actions. This grants the attacker the full set of privileges held by the victim.

The impact scales with the victim's role. A forged request executed in the context of a domain administrator can create accounts, modify virtual machines, alter network configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive cloud metadata.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing origin validation on authenticated API endpoints exposed through the CloudStack web UI. The application relies solely on session cookies for request authentication, without binding requests to the originating page. This pattern matches the [CWE-352] Cross-Site Request Forgery weakness class.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires an authenticated CloudStack user to visit a malicious page or click a crafted link while their session is active. The attacker hosts HTML containing auto-submitting forms or JavaScript that issues requests to the target CloudStack instance. No credentials or prior access to the CloudStack environment are required by the attacker. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity but requires user interaction.

No public proof-of-concept exploit code has been published. Refer to the Apache CloudStack Security Advisory for vendor-supplied technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45693

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected administrative API calls in CloudStack management server logs, particularly account, user, or VM modification actions originating from user sessions during normal browsing activity.
HTTP requests to CloudStack API endpoints with Referer or Origin headers pointing to external, untrusted domains.
Newly created accounts, SSH keys, or API keys that cannot be attributed to known administrator activity.

Detection Strategies

Review CloudStack management-server.log and access logs for state-changing API calls correlated with anomalous Referer headers.
Hunt for sequences where benign GET activity is immediately followed by privileged POST operations within the same session.
Deploy web application firewall rules to flag CloudStack API requests where the Origin header does not match the management URL.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward CloudStack management server and Tomcat access logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and retention.
Alert on creation of administrative users, API key generation, and changes to global settings outside change-control windows.
Monitor for outbound network connections from CloudStack instances to unexpected destinations following privileged API calls.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45693

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Apache CloudStack to version 4.18.2.4, 4.19.1.2, or later as specified in the vendor advisory.
Restrict access to the CloudStack management interface to trusted networks using firewall rules or a VPN.
Instruct administrators to use a dedicated browser or browser profile for CloudStack sessions and log out when not actively using the console.

Patch Information

Apache has released fixed versions 4.18.2.4 and 4.19.1.2 that address the missing origin validation. See the Apache CloudStack Security Advisory and the Apache Mailing List Discussion for upgrade guidance and release notes.

Workarounds

Place the CloudStack web interface behind a reverse proxy that enforces strict Origin and Referer header validation on state-changing requests.
Shorten session timeouts on the CloudStack management server to reduce the exposure window for active sessions.
Apply browser-level controls such as SameSite cookie policies through a fronting proxy where supported until patches are deployed.

bash

# Example nginx reverse proxy snippet enforcing Origin validation
location /client/api {
    if ($http_origin !~* ^https://cloudstack\.internal\.example\.com$) {
        return 403;
    }
    proxy_pass http://cloudstack-management:8080;
}