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Java

Exploiting and Mitigating CVE-2021-44228: Log4j Remote Code Execution (RCE)

A new critical vulnerability has been found in log4j, a widely-used open-source utility used to generate logs inside java applications. The vulnerability CVE-2021-44228, also known as Log4Shell, permits a Remote Code Execution (RCE) allowing the attackers to execute arbitrary code on the host. The log4j utility is popular and used by a huge number of applications and companies, including the famous game Minecraft. It is also used in various Apache frameworks like Struts2, Kafka, Druid, Flink, and many commercial products.

Understanding the Log4j Log4Shell Vulnerability

A zero-day threat is creating waves through the cybersecurity industry more than any other in years. On Thursday, December 9, security researchers published a proof-of-concept exploit code for CVE-2021-44228, a remote code execution vulnerability in Log4j, a Java logging library used in a significant number of internet applications. In the week since its discovery businesses worldwide are frantically trying to identify and mitigate the exploit, while security pros and experts are desperately attempting to release patches and guide organizations as new information becomes known.

Log4j Vulnerability CVE-2021-45046 Explained

As security and development teams rushed to assess the now-notorious Log4Shell vulnerability published December 10 (CVE-2021-44228), another, more minor vulnerability was discovered in Log4j — CVE-2021-45046. To understand the newly-discovered vulnerability, it is important to get the full picture and background on the original Log4j issue.

Log4Shell: What You Need to Know About the Log4j Vulnerability (APJ)

A new critical vulnerability, Log4Shell, was publicly disclosed on December 10th and is making global headlines. It impacts a wide amount of applications on the internet, allowing attackers to remotely execute code within vulnerable applications worldwide. In this webinar recording, Snyk technical experts provide an in-depth technical review of the Log4Shell vulnerability, what caused it, how it can be exploited, and most importantly, how it can be mitigated through upgrades, or defended against in WAF configurations and more.

Trustwave's Action Response: Multiple Log4j Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Dec. 29: Updated to cover three additional CVEs: CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-44832, and CVE-2021-42550 (in logback as opposed to log4j). Dec. 22: A joint Cybersecurity Advisory was issued by multiple national cybersecurity agencies providing mitigation guidance on addressing vulnerabilities in Apache’s Log4j software library: CVE-2021-44228 (known as “Log4Shell”), CVE-2021-45046, and CVE-2021-45105. Dec. 17: Please note the emergency directive from CISA on Log4j.

Trustwave's Action Response: Multiple Log4j Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Dec. 29: Updated to cover three additional CVEs: CVE-2021-4104, CVE-2021-44832, and CVE-2021-42550 (in logback as opposed to log4j). Dec. 22: A joint Cybersecurity Advisory was issued by multiple national cybersecurity agencies providing mitigation guidance on addressing vulnerabilities in Apache’s Log4j software library: CVE-2021-44228 (known as “Log4Shell”), CVE-2021-45046, and CVE-2021-45105. Dec. 17: Please note the emergency directive from CISA on Log4j.

Infrastructure is a disaster. The lessons from Log4J.

New day. New threat. New technology to combat said threat. Sound familiar? The threat landscape is continually evolving and getting more sophisticated, and, in an attempt to keep up, many organizations are quick to adopt the latest buzz-worthy product. This is a recipe for disaster.

Khonsari: New Ransomware Delivered Through Log4Shell

While many organizations are patching the two recent Apache Log4j vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-44228 and CVE-2021-45046), attackers have been racing to exploit them to deliver malware, such as botnets, backdoors, and cryptominers. Among the threats delivered using Log4Shell exploits, a new ransomware family was found by Bitdefender: Khonsari.

How to Respond: The Apache Log4j Vulnerability Clearly Explained

The Apache Log4j vulnerability has been assigned the most critical cyber threat rating of CVSS 10. For a concise overview of the zero-day, and to learn how to secure your systems against its exploitation, all of the popular FAQs concerning this vulnerability have been conveniently compiled in this post.

log4jShell - Do you know what you don't know?

Is it just me or is the announcement of a significant CVE becoming a holiday tradition? Discovered on December 9, 2021 by Minecraft players, the Apache Log4Shell vulnerability is a uniquely insidious because it infects servers which are traditionally well insulated from attacks and perceived as unreachable by an intruder and not at risk for CVEs. Log4Shell is an entirely different can of works that proves this assumption wrong.