CVE-2024-47561: Apache Avro Java SDK RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-47561 Overview

Schema parsing in the Java SDK of Apache Avro 1.11.3 and previous versions allows bad actors to execute arbitrary code. Users are recommended to upgrade to version 1.11.4 or 1.12.0, which fix this issue.

Critical Impact

Vulnerability allows for remote code execution through schema parsing flaws.

Affected Products

• apache avro
• netapp active_iq_unified_manager
• netapp brocade_san_navigator

Discovery Timeline

• Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
• Not Available - Responsible disclosure to apache
• Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-47561 assigned
• Not Available - Apache releases security patch
• 2024-10-03 - CVE CVE-2024-47561 published to NVD
• 2025-07-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-47561

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability arises from improper schema parsing within Apache Avro's Java SDK, leading to a critical remote code execution vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending maliciously crafted data that the application erroneously executes.

Root Cause

The flawed schema parser fails to correctly validate and sanitize input data, allowing arbitrary code execution via deserialization of crafted payloads.

Attack Vector

Network

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
public class Exploit {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String maliciousPayload = "{"rce":"exec('malicious_code')"}";
        AvroSchemaParser.parse(maliciousPayload);
    }
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47561

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual network activity from services running Avro
• Execution of unauthorized commands
• Logs showing invalid parsing attempts

Detection Strategies

Monitor Avro parsing logs for anomalies and validate network traffic to identify suspicious serialized data patterns.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Use SentinelOne to monitor system behavior and detect anomalies indicating potential exploitation attempts.
• Set up alerts for unexpected Avro schema parses and unauthorized code execution.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47561

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache Avro to version 1.11.4 or 1.12.0
• Review and restrict network inputs to Avro services
• Implement additional input validation checks

Patch Information

Patches are available in Apache Avro version 1.11.4 and 1.12.0. It is crucial to apply updates promptly to mitigate this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Disable potentially affected Avro schema parsers or isolate them to reduce exposure.

# Configuration example to disable vulnerable parsing
sed -i '/enableAvroParser/s/.*/enableAvroParser=false/' /path/to/config-file.conf