CVE-2023-24815: Vertx web Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
MODERATECVE-2023-24815 is a MODERATE (CVSS 4.8) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Vertx web libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves statichandler disclosure of classpath resources on windows when mounted on a wildcard route. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 4.3.8.
CVE-2023-24815 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 4.8
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2023-24815
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Vertx web dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
<dependency>
<groupId>io.vertx</groupId>
<artifactId>vertx-web</artifactId>
<version>4.3.8</version>
</dependency>Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertxHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2023-24815, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertxAnalyze the terminal output to locate any version of Vertx web in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 4.3.8), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=io.vertx command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. In Vertx web, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2023-24815 Affected Vertx web Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
io.vertx:vertx-web
|
Maven |
≥ 4.0.0
< 4.3.8
|
4.3.8
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2023-24815?
Which Vertx web versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2023-24815?
Is vertx-web affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-24815?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-24815?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2023-24815?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-53jx-vvf9-4x38",
"modified" : "2023-02-10T03:27:58Z",
"published" : "2023-02-10T03:27:58Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-24815" ],
"summary" : "StaticHandler disclosure of classpath resources on Windows when mounted on a wildcard route",
"details" : "### Summary\n\nWhen running vertx web applications that serve files using `StaticHandler` on Windows Operating Systems and Windows File Systems, if the mount point is a wildcard (`*`) then an attacker can exfiltrate any class path resource.\n\n\n### Details\nWhen computing the relative path to locate the resource, in case of wildcards, the code:\n\nhttps://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/blob/62c0d66fa1c179ae6a4d57344631679a2b97e60f/vertx-web/src/main/java/io/vertx/ext/web/impl/Utils.java#L83\n\nreturns the user input (without validation) as the segment to lookup. Even though checks are performed to avoid escaping the sandbox, given that the input was not sanitized `\\` are not properly handled and an attacker can build a path that is valid within the classpath.\n\n### PoC\n\nhttps://github.com/adrien-aubert-drovio/vertx-statichandler-windows-traversal-path-vulnerability",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "io.vertx:vertx-web"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.3.8"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/security/advisories/GHSA-53jx-vvf9-4x38"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-24815"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/commit/9e3a783b1d1a731055e9049078b1b1494ece9c15"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/blob/62c0d66fa1c179ae6a4d57344631679a2b97e60f/vertx-web/src/main/java/io/vertx/ext/web/impl/Utils.java#L83"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
"severity" : "MODERATE",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2023-02-10T03:27:58Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2023-02-09T18:15:00Z"
}
}