How to Fix CVE-2024-47197 - Insecure Storage of Sensitive Information Vulnerability in Maven Archetype Plugin?

The Apache Maven project recently disclosed a vulnerability(CVE-2024-47197) in the Maven Archetype Plugin that could potentially expose sensitive information, including credentials, to unauthorized parties. This flaw affects versions 3.2.1 to 3.3.0 of the plugin and stems from improper handling of user settings during archetype integration testing. Left unaddressed, it could lead to the inadvertent publication of sensitive data to public Maven repositories. In this article, we'll see the vulnerability in detail, assess its impact, and provide guidance on how to mitigate the risk and secure your Maven projects.

What is the Maven Archetype Plugin?

efore diving into the vulnerability specifics, let's briefly understand the Maven Archetype Plugin and its role in the Maven ecosystem.

The Maven Archetype Plugin is a powerful tool used in Maven-based projects for generating project templates. It allows developers to create and distribute project templates, known as archetypes, which can be used as starting points for new projects. This plugin is particularly useful for maintaining consistency across multiple projects and for quickly bootstrapping new applications with predefined structures and dependencies.

Key features of the Maven Archetype Plugin include:

The plugin plays a crucial role in the Maven ecosystem, facilitating project setup and promoting best practices across development teams.

Summary of CVE-2024-47197

Let's see the key details of this vulnerability:

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in the archetype integration testing process. During this process, the plugin creates a file named ./target/classes/archetype-it/archetype-settings.xml. This file contains the entire contents of the user's ~/.m2/settings.xml file, which often includes sensitive information such as repository credentials that users do not intend to publish.

The core issue lies in how this file is handled:

This vulnerability primarily affects developers who are creating and testing Maven archetypes, rather than end-users of those archetypes. However, the potential exposure of sensitive information makes it a significant concern for the Maven community.

Impact of CVE-2024-47197

While the CVSS score for this vulnerability is yet to calculated, that doesn't mean to be ignored. The primary risks associated with this vulnerability include:

The impact is particularly significant for developers and organizations that frequently create and publish Maven archetypes. It's crucial to note that the vulnerability doesn't automatically expose information - it requires a specific sequence of actions to manifest. However, given the common workflows in Maven development, the risk of accidental exposure is non-trivial.

Products Affected by CVE-2024-47197

The vulnerability specifically affects the Maven Archetype Plugin. Here's a breakdown of the affected versions:

It's important to note that this vulnerability does not affect:

Users of the affected versions should prioritize upgrading to version 3.3.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.

How to Check if Your Project is Vulnerable

To determine if your project is vulnerable to CVE-2024-47197, follow these steps:

<plugin>
  <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
  <artifactId>maven-archetype-plugin</artifactId>
  <version>3.2.1</version> 
</plugin>

2. Check for unexpected files: Look for the presence of ./target/classes/archetype-it/archetype-settings.xml in your project directory. If this file exists and contains sensitive information from your local Maven settings, your project is vulnerable.

Remember, this vulnerability primarily affects those who are developing and testing Maven archetypes. If you're only consuming archetypes created by others, your risk is lower, but it's still important to ensure you're using a patched version of the plugin.

How to Fix CVE-2024-47197

To address the CVE-2024-47197 vulnerability in your Maven projects, follow these steps:

4. Audit your Maven settings: Review your ~/.m2/settings.xml file and remove any sensitive information that isn't strictly necessary. Consider using environment variables or secure credential stores for sensitive data instead.

CVE-2024-47197 serves as a reminder of the importance of security consciousness in every aspect of the software development lifecycle, including the tools we use to bootstrap and manage our projects. While the vulnerability's direct impact is limited to a specific use case of the Maven Archetype Plugin, its potential consequences underscore the need for vigilance in handling sensitive information throughout the development process.

By upgrading to the patched version of the Maven Archetype Plugin and implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, developers can significantly reduce the risk of inadvertently exposing sensitive data. Moreover, this incident highlights the value of regular security audits, not just of your own code, but of the entire toolchain and development workflow.

We hope this post helps explores the details of CVE-2024-47197, its potential impact, affected versions, and most importantly - how to fix CVE-2024-47197, insecure storage of sensitive information vulnerability in Maven Archetype plugin. Stay secure, stay updated, and continue to prioritize the safety of your users and their data. Thanks for reading this post. Please share this post and help secure the digital world.Visit our website thesecmaster.com, and our social media page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Telegram, Tumblr, Medium, and Instagram and subscribe to receive updates like this.

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