External risk intelligence

Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager Access Control Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-7238

An access control vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager allows unauthorized remote code execution. This impacts affected systems by enabling attackers to compromise data and gain system control, presenting a significant business risk. Organizations should update their Nexus Repository Manager instances to

4Halo Surface Signal

Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager

3.0.0 to before 3.15.0

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2019-7238

Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager is commonly deployed as a centralized repository and artifact management service. These systems are frequently exposed to internal or external development networks, CI/CD pipelines, and build systems to facilitate dependency resolution and artifact distribution, making them a standard, reachable service in many infrastructure environments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

The Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager is susceptible to an access control flaw. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. The potential impact includes unauthorized system access and compromise of data integrity.

  • Vulnerable: Nexus Repository Manager
  • Flaw: Incorrect access control
  • Impact: Remote code execution, data compromise

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

The vulnerability allows an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the Nexus Repository Manager, potentially leading to system compromise. This attack path exploits a weakness in the access control mechanisms of the software. By successfully exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could execute arbitrary code on the affected system, leading to data theft or further network intrusion.

  • Exposed Nexus Repository Manager.
  • Unauthenticated attacker gains access.
  • Trigger actions for code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code, potentially impacting the integrity and availability of business systems and data. Exploitation could lead to significant business risk due to the potential for widespread compromise. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog lists this CVE, indicating active threats.

  • Attackers with low skill may exploit it.
  • No access or conditions are required.
  • High business risk warrants urgent attention.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager contains a vulnerability that allows for unauthorized access and remote code execution. This could expose sensitive data, compromise system integrity, and allow attackers to gain control of affected systems. Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to mitigate potential business risks.

  • Identify exposed Nexus Repository Manager instances.
  • Isolate or restrict access to affected systems.
  • Apply vendor updates and validate.
  • Monitor for related security incidents.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager?

Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager is a tool used to manage software artifacts and dependencies for development teams. It acts as a central hub for storing and organizing code libraries and build outputs, supporting various development workflows.

What is the weakness in CVE-2019-7238?

CVE-2019-7238 is a critical vulnerability classified as Incorrect Access Control. This means the software does not properly restrict who can perform certain actions, allowing unauthorized users to potentially execute code.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2019-7238?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability without needing any special access or conditions. The flaw lies in the software's access controls, meaning an unauthenticated attacker could potentially trigger the vulnerability.

Who needs to care about this CVE?

Organizations running Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager should care about this CVE. Since this software is often internet-facing or accessible from development networks, it presents a potential risk to an organization's infrastructure. [cite:halo]

What is the first step to address this vulnerability?

The first step is to identify all instances of Sonatype Nexus Repository Manager within your environment. After identification, apply the necessary updates provided by Sonatype to mitigate the risk.

References