A path traversal vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository 3 enables unauthenticated attackers to access and read system files. This security issue exposes sensitive information and compromises system integrity. The vulnerability has been addressed and rectified in version 3.68.1 of the software.

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About Sonatype Nexus

Sonatype Nexus is a repository manager that helps organizations manage and distribute software components and build artifacts. It supports various package formats and provides features for proxying, hosting, and grouping repositories. With Nexus, teams can streamline their development processes by securely storing and sharing components, ensuring consistent builds, and enforcing access controls. Additionally, Nexus integrates with popular development tools and CI/CD pipelines, making it a versatile solution for modern software development teams.

Mitigation

1. Immediately update Sonatype Nexus Repository to version 3.68.1 or later, as this version includes a fix for the path traversal vulnerability.
2. Restrict access to the Nexus Repository by using firewall rules or by configuring access controls, to limit exposure only to trusted networks or IP addresses.
3. Regularly monitor and review system and application logs for any unusual or unauthorized access attempts, which could indicate exploitation attempts.
4. Implement a robust patch management process to ensure that all software, including Nexus Repository, is kept up-to-date with the latest security patches.
5. Educate users and administrators about the importance of security best practices, including the risks associated with path traversal attacks and the steps needed to mitigate them.

Exploit Scenario

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit the Path Traversal vulnerability in Sonatype Nexus Repository 3 by manipulating inputs to access and read system files that should not be accessible. This could potentially expose sensitive information stored in the system, posing a security risk. The vulnerability has been addressed in version 3.68.1, where appropriate measures have been implemented to prevent such unauthorized access.

DockerHub Link

To try out a demo environment for CVE-2024-4956, you can visit our DockerHub repository here

Video Tutorial

Video tutorials for exploiting CVE-2024-4956 is available here

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