Apache ActiveMQ Vulnerability Overview
Apache ActiveMQ is an open source message queuing platform widely used to transfer messages between applications.In late October 2023, security researchers discovered a critical vulnerability (CVE-2023-46604, CVSS Score: 10.0) that allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, which is extremely harmful.
Status of Vulnerability Exploitation
Since the vulnerability became public, cyber attackers have been actively exploiting it, and Trustwave recently discovered that attackers have begun using a new method of attack by deploying a web backdoor called "Godzilla" on vulnerable ActiveMQ servers.
Godzilla Web Backdoor Feature
Godzilla is a powerful backdoor program with the following features:
Parsing and executing incoming HTTP POST requests
Returns the HTTP response with the results of the implementation
Communicating with an attacker-controlled management interface
Execute any shell command
View Network Information
Managing the file system
hidden malicious code
A unique feature of the Godzilla backdoor is that its Java code is hidden in an unknown binary format. This way it can evade detection by security scanning tools and increase the stealthiness of the attack.
Security recommendations
All users of Apache ActiveMQ should immediately upgrade to the latest version to fix this vulnerability and protect against attacks. In addition, the following security measures should be taken:
Regularly update all software on the system
Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Deployment of intrusion detection and prevention systems
Regular security vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
Conclusion
The emergence of Apache ActiveMQ vulnerability highlights the importance of software security. Enterprises and organizations should attach great importance to system security, update software in a timely manner, and strengthen security measures in order to effectively resist network attacks.