CVE-2024-0740
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of Eclipse Target Management's Terminal and Remote System Explorer (RSE). It affects Eclipse IDE users who have the RSE component installed and accessible, potentially enabling complete system compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Eclipse Target Management: Terminal and Remote System Explorer (RSE)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system takeover with attacker gaining full control over the affected machine, enabling data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to installation of malware, backdoors, or cryptocurrency miners on vulnerable Eclipse installations.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems are isolated, have strict network controls, or the vulnerable component is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability requires no authentication and has a high CVSS score, suggesting relatively straightforward exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Included in Eclipse IDE 2024-03 release
Vendor Advisory: https://gitlab.eclipse.org/security/vulnerability-reports/-/issues/171
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Eclipse IDE to version 2024-03 or later. 2. Alternatively, update the Target Management/RSE component to a fixed version. 3. Restart Eclipse IDE after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable RSE Component
allDisable the Remote System Explorer component in Eclipse to remove the attack surface
In Eclipse: Window > Preferences > Remote Systems > Disable all remote connections
Network Isolation
allBlock network access to Eclipse RSE ports using firewall rules
# Example Linux iptables rule: iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [RSE_PORT] -j DROP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate systems running vulnerable Eclipse versions
- Deploy application control/whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Eclipse IDE version and installed components. If using Eclipse IDE older than 2024-03 with RSE component, assume vulnerable.Check Version:
In Eclipse: Help > About Eclipse IDE > Installation Details > Installed Software > Look for 'Target Management' or 'Remote System Explorer'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify Eclipse IDE version is 2024-03 or newer, or check that Target Management/RSE component version is > 4.5.400📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual process execution from Eclipse IDE
- Suspicious network connections from Eclipse process
- Unexpected command execution in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic to/from Eclipse RSE ports
- Suspicious payloads in network traffic to Eclipse instances
SIEM Query:
process.name:"eclipse" AND (process.cmdline:*cmd* OR process.cmdline:*powershell* OR process.cmdline:*bash*)