CVE-2022-29599
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Apache Maven's maven-shared-utils allows shell injection attacks when the Commandline class processes double-quoted strings without proper escaping. Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on systems running vulnerable versions. This affects any application using maven-shared-utils for command execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Apache Maven maven-shared-utils
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with remote code execution, allowing attackers to install malware, exfiltrate data, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Limited command execution within the context of the Maven process, potentially leading to data theft, privilege escalation, or denial of service.
If Mitigated
No impact if proper input validation and output escaping are implemented, or if the vulnerable component isn't used for command execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user-controlled input passed to Commandline class. Public proof-of-concept exists in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.3
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.apache.org/thread/8q7n2d8y3s5k4t5t3r4v8q9w0x1z2c3v4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update maven-shared-utils dependency to version 3.3.3 or higher. 2. Update pom.xml: <dependency><groupId>org.apache.maven.shared</groupId><artifactId>maven-shared-utils</artifactId><version>3.3.3</version></dependency>. 3. Rebuild and redeploy applications.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input validation and sanitization
allImplement strict input validation to reject or sanitize user input containing quotes and special characters before passing to Commandline.
Use ProcessBuilder instead
allReplace Commandline usage with Java's ProcessBuilder class which provides better security controls.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation to reject any user input containing quotes, semicolons, backticks, or other shell metacharacters.
- Run Maven processes with minimal privileges and in isolated containers or sandboxes to limit potential damage.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check pom.xml or dependency tree for maven-shared-utils version. Run: mvn dependency:tree | grep maven-shared-utilsCheck Version:
mvn dependency:tree | grep -A1 -B1 maven-shared-utilsVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm maven-shared-utils version is 3.3.3 or higher in pom.xml and dependency tree.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected command execution in Maven logs
- Shell commands with unusual arguments or quotes
- Process execution errors from unexpected commands
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Maven processes to unexpected destinations
- Data exfiltration patterns from build systems
SIEM Query:
process_name:"mvn" AND (cmdline:";" OR cmdline:"`" OR cmdline:"$" OR cmdline:"|") NOT expected_command🔗 References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/05/23/3
- https://github.com/apache/maven-shared-utils/pull/40
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/MSHARED-297
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/08/msg00018.html
- https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5242
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/05/23/3
- https://github.com/apache/maven-shared-utils/pull/40
- https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/MSHARED-297
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/08/msg00018.html
- https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5242
