Vulnerabilities in pkg:maven/org.apache.james/apache-mime4j-core

PACKAGE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-jw7r-rxff-gv24
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Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-21742 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.3) apache james mime4j improper input vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Apache mime4j core libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves apache james mime4j improper input validation vulnerability. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 0.8.10.

1 Known Advisory Record(s)
Package Vulnerability Intelligence

pkg:maven/org.apache.james/apache-mime4j-core

1 Known Advisory Record(s)

Vulnerability advisories affecting package pkg:maven/org.apache.james/apache-mime4j-core. Select an advisory below to view technical details or fixes.

Advisory ID CVE / NVD Severity Summary
GHSA-jw7r-rxff-gv24 CVE-2024-21742 MODERATE Apache James MIME4J improper input validation vulnerability

CVE-2024-21742 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-21742
GHSA Identifier GHSA-jw7r-rxff-gv24
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.3
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Apache mime4j core
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.3

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:N/I:L/A:N).

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

How to Fix CVE-2024-21742

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache mime4j core 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.james:apache-mime4j-core fixed: 0.8.10 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.james</groupId>
    <artifactId>apache-mime4j-core</artifactId>
    <version>0.8.10</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.james

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2024-21742, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache mime4j core in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 0.8.10), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.james 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 mime4j core, 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 allows for header injection in MIME4J library when using MIME4J DOM for composing message. This can be exploited by an attacker to add unintended headers to MIME messages.

CVE-2024-21742 Affected Apache mime4j core Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
0.8.10
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.james:apache-mime4j-core
maven/org.apache.james/apache-mime4j-core
Maven
< 0.8.10
0.8.10

References

NVD — CVE-2024-21742 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21742
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j/commit/9dec5df2a588fed8027839815daefa79ee66efd1
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j/commit/d25fb3fd35db42b060789a20634fbe3cb84aba17
Apache mime4j core Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j
lists.apache.org/thread/nrqzg93219wd... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread/nrqzg93219wdj056pqfszsd33dc54kfy
Apache mime4j core Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/27/5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-21742?
CVE-2024-21742 is a security vulnerability in Apache mime4j core involving Apache James MIME4J improper input validation vulnerability under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Apache mime4j core versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 0.8.10 across affected packages: org.apache.james:apache-mime4j-core.
What version fixes CVE-2024-21742?
Upgrading to 0.8.10 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is apache-mime4j-core affected?
Yes, org.apache.james:apache-mime4j-core is affected in releases prior to 0.8.10. Upgrade your dependency to 0.8.10 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2024-21742?
CVE-2024-21742 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-21742?
CVE-2024-21742 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-2024-21742?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.james'. 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
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-jw7r-rxff-gv24",
  "modified" : "2025-02-14T17:43:39Z",
  "published" : "2024-02-27T18:31:02Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-21742" ],
  "summary" : "Apache James MIME4J improper input validation vulnerability",
  "details" : "Improper input validation allows for header injection in MIME4J library when using MIME4J DOM for composing message.\nThis can be exploited by an attacker to add unintended headers to MIME messages.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.james:apache-mime4j-core"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "0.8.10"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-21742"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j/commit/9dec5df2a588fed8027839815daefa79ee66efd1"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j/commit/d25fb3fd35db42b060789a20634fbe3cb84aba17"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/james-mime4j"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread/nrqzg93219wdj056pqfszsd33dc54kfy"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/02/27/5"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20", "CWE-74" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-02-27T21:54:39Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-02-27T17:15:12Z"
  }
}