CVE-2018-17191 Code injection in Apache NetBeans

Critical 9.8 Published 31 Dec 2018 Updated 5 Aug 2024

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code via malicious Proxy Auto-Configuration scripts due to insecure JavaScript engine configuration in Apache NetBeans.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2018-17191?

CVE-2018-17191 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Apache NetBeans, published on 31 Dec 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Apache NetBeans (incubating) 9.0 NetBeans Proxy Auto-Configuration (PAC) interpretation is vulnerable for remote command execution (RCE). Using the nashorn script engine the environment of the javascript execution for the Proxy Auto-Configuration leaks privileged objects, that can be used to circumvent the execution limits. If a different script engine was used, no execution limits were in place. Both vectors allow remote code execution.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-17191?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Apache Netbeans.

How do I fix CVE-2018-17191?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.

Is CVE-2018-17191 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17191 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2018-17191, GHSA-6wvp-4wg2-g6m4, UBUNTU-CVE-2018-17191.