CVE-2021-42767: Apoc Path Traversal Vulnerability
CRITICALCVE-2021-42767 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.1) path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Apoc libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves neo4j graph database vulnerable to path traversal. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.5.17, 4.2.10, 4.3.0.4, 4.4.0.1.
CVE-2021-42767 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.1
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2021-42767
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apoc 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>org.neo4j.procedure</groupId>
<artifactId>apoc</artifactId>
<version>3.5.17</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.neo4j.procedure</groupId>
<artifactId>apoc</artifactId>
<version>4.2.10</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.neo4j.procedure</groupId>
<artifactId>apoc</artifactId>
<version>4.3.0.4</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
<groupId>org.neo4j.procedure</groupId>
<artifactId>apoc</artifactId>
<version>4.4.0.1</version>
</dependency>
Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.neo4j.procedure
How to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2021-42767, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:
mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.neo4j.procedure
Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apoc in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.5.17), your application is affected.
Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.neo4j.procedure 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 Apoc, 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-2021-42767 Affected Apoc Versions
4 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
org.neo4j.procedure:apoc
|
Maven |
< 3.5.17
|
3.5.17
|
|
org.neo4j.procedure:apoc
|
Maven |
≥ 4.2.0
< 4.2.10
|
4.2.10
|
|
org.neo4j.procedure:apoc
|
Maven |
≥ 4.3.0.0
< 4.3.0.4
|
4.3.0.4
|
|
org.neo4j.procedure:apoc
|
Maven |
≥ 4.4.0.0
< 4.4.0.1
All 1 versions
4.4.0.0
|
4.4.0.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-42767?
Which Apoc versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-42767?
Is apoc affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-42767?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-42767?
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2021-42767?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-4mpj-488r-vh6m",
"modified" : "2022-07-22T16:35:11Z",
"published" : "2022-02-01T22:01:14Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-42767" ],
"summary" : "Neo4j Graph Database vulnerable to Path Traversal",
"details" : "### Impact\nDirectory Traversal Vulnerabilities found in several functions of apoc plugins in Neo4j Graph database. The attacker can retrieve and download files from outside the configured directory on the affected server. Under some circumstances, the attacker can also create files.\n\n### Patches\nThe users should aim to use the latest released version compatible with their Neo4j version. The minimum versions containing patch for this vulnerability (for Neo4j 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 bundled with APOC, upgrade to the appropriate patched version):\n3.5 - bundle n/a, standalone 3.5.0.17\n4.2 - bundle 4.2.13, standalone 4.2.0.10\n4.3 - bundle 4.3.9, standalone 4.3.0.4\n4.4 - bundle 4.4.2, standalone 4.4.0.1\n\n### Workarounds\nIf you cannot upgrade the library, you can control the [allowlist of the functions](https://neo4j.com/docs/operations-manual/current/reference/configuration-settings/#config_dbms.security.procedures.allowlist) that can be used in your system:\n\n\n### For more information\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n* Open an issue in [neo4j-apoc-procedures](https://github.com/neo4j-contrib/neo4j-apoc-procedures)\n* Email us at [security@neo4j.com](mailto:security@neo4j.com)\n\n### Credits\nWe want to publicly recognize the contribution of Nicolai Grødum from the Red Team of PwC Norway for reporting this issue and following the responsible disclosure [policy](https://neo4j.com/trust-center/responsible-disclosure/). \n",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.neo4j.procedure:apoc"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "3.5.17"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.neo4j.procedure:apoc"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.2.10"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.neo4j.procedure:apoc"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.3.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.3.0.4"
} ]
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 4.3.0.3"
}
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "Maven",
"name" : "org.neo4j.procedure:apoc"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "4.4.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "4.4.0.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "4.4.0.0" ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/neo4j-contrib/neo4j-apoc-procedures/security/advisories/GHSA-4mpj-488r-vh6m"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42767"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://neo4j.com"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
"severity" : "CRITICAL",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2022-02-01T15:58:43Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2022-03-01T02:15:00Z"
}
}