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CVE-2023-33246: Apache RocketMQ Command Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2023-33246 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 and affects Apache RocketMQ. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction. The scored impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is the highest available. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-09-06, which means exploitation in the wild has been observed.

Vulnerability description

For RocketMQ versions 5.1.0 and below, under certain conditions, there is a risk of remote command execution.  Several components of RocketMQ, including NameServer, Broker, and Controller, are leaked on the extranet and lack permission verification, an attacker can exploit this vulnerability by using the update configuration function to execute commands as the system users that RocketMQ is running as. Additionally, an attacker can achieve the same effect by forging the RocketMQ protocol content.  To prevent these attacks, users are recommended to upgrade to version 5.1.1 or above for using RocketMQ 5.x or 4.9.6 or above for using RocketMQ 4.x .

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.1 9.8: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

• Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
• Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
• Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
• User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
• Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
• Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
• Integrity impact: High. Total loss of integrity; data or system state can be fully modified.
• Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code

The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.

Affected products

• Apache Rocketmq: before 4.9.6; from 5.0.0 before 5.1.1

References

• https://lists.apache.org/thread/1s8j2c8kogthtpv3060yddk03zq0pxyp
• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/173339/Apache-RocketMQ-5.1.0-Arbitrary-Code-Injection.html
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/07/12/1
• https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/rocketmq-rce-cve-2023-33246-33247
• https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-33246
• https://github.com/Malayke/CVE-2023-33246_RocketMQ_RCE_EXPLOIT
• https://github.com/jakabakos/CVE-2023-33246_Apache_RocketMQ_RCE