CVE-2024-5082: Sonatype Nexus Repository 2 RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-5082 Overview

CVE-2024-5082 is a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability affecting Sonatype Nexus Repository 2. The flaw impacts Nexus Repository 2 OSS and Pro versions up to and including 2.15.1. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-94] Improper Control of Generation of Code, indicating that attacker-supplied input reaches a code interpretation path. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can leverage the flaw over the network without user interaction. Sonatype has published guidance for affected operators through its support portal.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary code on Nexus Repository 2 servers, compromising build artifacts, credentials, and downstream software supply chains.

Affected Products

Sonatype Nexus Repository 2 OSS versions up to and including 2.15.1
Sonatype Nexus Repository 2 Pro versions up to and including 2.15.1
Any self-hosted Nexus Repository 2 deployment running the affected releases

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-14 - CVE-2024-5082 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-5082

Vulnerability Analysis

CVE-2024-5082 is a code injection weakness [CWE-94] in Sonatype Nexus Repository 2. Nexus Repository 2 is a widely deployed artifact repository used to host Maven, npm, NuGet, and other package formats within enterprise software supply chains. Improper control over how user-supplied input is generated into executable code allows an authenticated actor to trigger arbitrary code execution on the server process.

A successful exploit runs code in the security context of the Nexus service account. From that position, an attacker can tamper with hosted artifacts, exfiltrate credentials stored in the repository, and pivot to internal build systems. The EPSS model places this issue in the upper range for likelihood of near-term exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper control of code generation in a component of Nexus Repository 2 that processes authenticated user input. Input that should be treated as data is instead evaluated or otherwise incorporated into a code execution path. Sonatype has not published low-level implementation details in the public advisory.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the Nexus Repository 2 web interface and valid credentials with low privileges. No user interaction is required. Because Nexus is commonly exposed to internal developer networks and integrated with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, low-privileged service or developer accounts represent a realistic attacker foothold.

No verified proof-of-concept exploit code has been published. For technical remediation guidance, refer to the Sonatype Support Article.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5082

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by the Nexus Repository 2 Java process, such as shells, curl, wget, or scripting interpreters
New or modified files under the Nexus installation directory or sonatype-work data directory outside of scheduled maintenance windows
Outbound network connections from the Nexus host to unfamiliar external addresses
Repository administrative actions performed by low-privileged accounts that do not normally administer the platform

Detection Strategies

Enable and centralize Nexus Repository 2 access and audit logs, then alert on administrative or configuration endpoints accessed by non-admin users
Baseline the process tree of the Nexus JVM and alert on deviations, especially interpreter or command-line utility execution
Correlate authentication events with subsequent artifact modifications to detect abuse of compromised low-privilege accounts

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Nexus application logs, host process telemetry, and network flow data into a centralized analytics platform for correlation
Monitor artifact integrity by tracking checksum changes for hosted components between builds
Track authentication anomalies against Nexus accounts, including logins from new source addresses or outside normal business hours

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5082

Immediate Actions Required

Inventory all Nexus Repository 2 instances and identify any running version 2.15.1 or earlier
Restrict network access to the Nexus web interface to trusted management and CI/CD networks only
Rotate credentials for all Nexus accounts and any service tokens that Nexus stores or proxies
Review recent audit logs for suspicious authenticated activity, particularly from low-privilege accounts

Patch Information

Sonatype has published remediation guidance for CVE-2024-5082 in the Sonatype Support Article. Nexus Repository 2 has reached end of life, so operators should follow Sonatype's guidance on upgrading to a supported product line rather than relying solely on in-place patching.

Workarounds

Place Nexus Repository 2 behind a reverse proxy or VPN that enforces additional authentication and IP allowlisting
Disable or delete unused local accounts and enforce strong, unique credentials for any remaining users
Reduce the privileges of the operating system account running the Nexus service to limit blast radius if code execution occurs
Plan migration off Nexus Repository 2 to a currently supported repository manager as the durable remediation

bash

# Example: restrict Nexus Repository 2 to internal management network via iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8081 -s 10.10.20.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8081 -j DROP