CVE-2024-27135: Apache Pulsar Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-xp2r-g8qq-44hh
CVSS 8.5
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-27135 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.5) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Apache Pulsar libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in pulsar function worker allows remote code execution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.10.6, 2.11.4, 3.0.3, 3.1.3, 3.2.1.

CVE-2024-27135 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-27135
GHSA Identifier GHSA-xp2r-g8qq-44hh
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.5
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Apache Pulsar
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2024-27135

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache Pulsar dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker fixed: 2.10.6
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pulsar</groupId>
    <artifactId>pulsar-functions-worker</artifactId>
    <version>2.10.6</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker fixed: 2.11.4
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pulsar</groupId>
    <artifactId>pulsar-functions-worker</artifactId>
    <version>2.11.4</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker fixed: 3.0.3
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pulsar</groupId>
    <artifactId>pulsar-functions-worker</artifactId>
    <version>3.0.3</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker fixed: 3.1.3
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pulsar</groupId>
    <artifactId>pulsar-functions-worker</artifactId>
    <version>3.1.3</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker fixed: 3.2.1
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.pulsar</groupId>
    <artifactId>pulsar-functions-worker</artifactId>
    <version>3.2.1</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pulsar

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2024-27135, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pulsar

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache Pulsar in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.10.6), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pulsar 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-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In Apache Pulsar, 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

Improper input validation in the Pulsar Function Worker allows a malicious authenticated user to execute arbitrary Java code on the Pulsar Function worker, outside of the sandboxes designated for running user-provided functions. This vulnerability also applies to the Pulsar Broker when it is configured with "functionsWorkerEnabled=true". This issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.4.0 to 2.10.5, from 2.11.0 to 2.11.3, from 3.0.0 to 3.0.2, from 3.1.0 to 3.1.2, and 3.2.0. 2.10 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.10.6. 2.11 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.11.4. 3.0 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.0.3. 3.1 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.1.3. 3.2 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.2.1. Users operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.

CVE-2024-27135 Affected Apache Pulsar Versions

5 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.10.62.11.43.0.33.1.33.2.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker
Maven
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.10.6
2.10.6
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker
Maven
≥ 2.11.0
< 2.11.4
2.11.4
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker
Maven
≥ 3.0.0
< 3.0.3
3.0.3
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker
Maven
≥ 3.1.0
< 3.1.3
3.1.3
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker
Maven
≥ 3.2.0
< 3.2.1
3.2.1

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-27135?
CVE-2024-27135 is a security vulnerability in Apache Pulsar involving Improper Input Validation in Pulsar Function Worker allows Remote Code Execution under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Apache Pulsar versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.10.6, 2.11.4, 3.0.3, 3.1.3, 3.2.1 across affected packages: org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker.
What version fixes CVE-2024-27135?
Upgrading to 2.10.6, 2.11.4, 3.0.3, 3.1.3, 3.2.1 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is pulsar-functions-worker affected?
Yes, org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker is affected in releases prior to 2.10.6, 2.11.4, 3.0.3, 3.1.3, 3.2.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.10.6, 2.11.4, 3.0.3, 3.1.3, 3.2.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-27135?
CVE-2024-27135 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-27135?
CVE-2024-27135 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2024-27135?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.pulsar'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-xp2r-g8qq-44hh",
  "modified" : "2025-02-13T19:08:16Z",
  "published" : "2024-03-12T21:30:59Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-27135" ],
  "summary" : "Apache Pulsar: Improper Input Validation in Pulsar Function Worker allows Remote Code Execution",
  "details" : "Improper input validation in the Pulsar Function Worker allows a malicious authenticated user to execute arbitrary Java code on the Pulsar Function worker, outside of the sandboxes designated for running user-provided functions. This vulnerability also applies to the Pulsar Broker when it is configured with \"functionsWorkerEnabled=true\".\n\nThis issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.4.0 to 2.10.5, from 2.11.0 to 2.11.3, from 3.0.0 to 3.0.2, from 3.1.0 to 3.1.2, and 3.2.0. \n\n2.10 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.10.6.\n2.11 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.11.4.\n3.0 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.0.3.\n3.1 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.1.3.\n3.2 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.2.1.\n\nUsers operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.4.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.10.6"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2.10.5"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.11.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.11.4"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2.11.3"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.0.3"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 3.0.2"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.1.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.1.3"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 3.1.2"
    }
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.2.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27135"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/pulsar"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/dh8nj2vmb2br6thjltq74lk9jxkz62wn"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://pulsar.apache.org/security/CVE-2024-27135"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/03/12/9"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-03-13T21:59:37Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-03-12T19:15:47Z"
  }
}