External risk intelligence

Sonatype Nexus Repository JavaEL Injection Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2020-10199

Sonatype Nexus Repository is affected by a JavaEL Injection vulnerability, enabling unauthorized code execution. This can lead to data compromise and operational disruption, posing a significant risk to affected organizations and their development pipelines. Organizations should address this by identifying and remediat

4Halo Surface Signal

Sonatype Nexus

before 3.21.2

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2020-10199

Sonatype Nexus Repository is commonly deployed as a centralized artifact management server. These instances often act as critical infrastructure for development and build pipelines, frequently exposed as web-accessible services to support remote developer access, continuous integration systems, and external dependency resolution across distributed environments.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Sonatype Nexus Repository is vulnerable to Java Expression Language (JavaEL) Injection. This flaw allows unauthorized parties to execute arbitrary code within the affected system. The potential impact includes significant disruption to business operations and the compromise of sensitive data.

  • Sonatype Nexus Repository
  • JavaEL Injection flaw
  • Remote code execution

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

The Sonatype Nexus Repository is exposed to the internet, allowing attackers to gain access. An attacker can then exploit a Java Expression Language (JavaEL) injection vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the application. This can lead to unauthorized access and modification of data, impacting the integrity and confidentiality of the organization's systems. The impact of this vulnerability can include compromise of sensitive data, disruption of services, and unauthorized system control.

  • Network exposure required.
  • Attacker uses unauthenticated access.
  • Trigger JavaEL injection for control.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

The Sonatype Nexus Repository is susceptible to a JavaEL Injection vulnerability. This allows for potential unauthorized access and modification of data, impacting system integrity and confidentiality. Addressing this vulnerability is crucial to protect the development and build pipelines that rely on this artifact management server.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low.
  • Required access or conditions: Unauthenticated network access.
  • Business risk or urgency: High.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability allows for unauthorized code execution within the Nexus Repository. Attackers could exploit this to gain control of the system, potentially leading to data breaches or service disruptions. The risk is elevated due to the widespread use of Nexus Repository in software development lifecycles, impacting development operations and the integrity of the software supply chain.

  • Find affected Nexus assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sonatype Nexus Repository and its purpose in software development?

Sonatype Nexus Repository is a widely adopted artifact management server. It functions as a central hub for storing and managing software components, libraries, and dependencies critical for development and build processes.

What type of vulnerability does CVE-2020-10199 represent in Sonatype Nexus Repository?

CVE-2020-10199 is classified as a Java Expression Language (JavaEL) Injection vulnerability. This weakness enables an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code on the targeted Nexus Repository system.

How can an attacker exploit the JavaEL Injection flaw in Nexus Repository?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging unauthenticated network access to trigger the JavaEL injection. This allows for the execution of arbitrary code, potentially leading to unauthorized control over the system and data compromise.

What is the significance of CVE-2020-10199 for organizations using Sonatype Nexus Repository?

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as it can lead to unauthorized code execution and data breaches, impacting the integrity and confidentiality of systems. Its exploitation can disrupt development pipelines and the software supply chain.

What are the recommended actions to mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2020-10199?

Organizations should identify all affected Nexus assets, reduce their exposure or isolate potential risks, apply necessary fixes, verify the remediation, and implement continuous monitoring to address this vulnerability.

References