Coordinated Surge in SSRF Vulnerability Exploitation Warns Experts
Cybersecurity experts warn of a coordinated surge in SSRF vulnerability exploitation attempts targeting multiple platforms. Learn about the affected systems and how to protect your organization.
TL;DR
Cybersecurity experts have observed a coordinated surge in Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability exploitation attempts. Attackers are targeting multiple platforms, with a significant focus on Grafana and other widely-used systems. Organizations are advised to patch affected systems and implement mitigation strategies promptly.
Coordinated Surge in SSRF Vulnerability Exploitation Warns Experts
Threat intelligence firm GreyNoise has observed a coordinated surge in Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability exploitation attempts across multiple platforms. This surge, detected on March 9, suggests that attackers may be leveraging Grafana as an initial entry point for deeper exploitation.
Initial Observations and Targeted Platforms
GreyNoise noted that before the SSRF surge, there were attempts to exploit Grafana path traversal vulnerabilities. This indicates that attackers might be using Grafana as a starting point for more extensive exploitation efforts. The coordinated nature of these attempts suggests a well-organized campaign where threat actors first scan exposed infrastructure before escalating their efforts.
In past attacks, vulnerabilities in Grafana have been exploited to access configuration files and internal network details, reinforcing the likelihood of reconnaissance-driven targeting.
Global Impact and Exploitation Patterns
The SSRF exploitation attempts primarily targeted entities in the United States, Germany, Singapore, India, Lithuania, Japan, and Israel. GreyNoise reported that around 400 unique IPs were actively targeting 10 SSRF vulnerabilities, with many IPs attempting to exploit multiple vulnerabilities simultaneously. This pattern suggests the use of automation or pre-compromise reconnaissance rather than typical botnet activity.
List of Exploited SSRF Vulnerabilities
The following SSRF vulnerabilities were observed being exploited:
| Tag/CVE | Targeted Software |
|---|---|
| CVE-2020-7796 | Zimbra Collaboration Suite |
| CVE-2021-22214 | GitLab CE/EE |
| CVE-2021-39935 | GitLab CE/EE |
| CVE-2021-22175 | GitLab CE/EE |
| CVE-2017-0929 | DotNetNuke |
| CVE-2021-22054 | VMware Workspace ONE UEM |
| CVE-2021-21973 | VMware vCenter |
| CVE-2023-5830 | ColumbiaSoft DocumentLocator |
| CVE-2024-21893 | Ivanti Connect Secure |
| CVE-2024-6587 | BerriAI LiteLLM |
| OpenBMCS 2.4 Authenticated SSRF Attempt | OpenBMCS 2.4 |
| Zimbra Collaboration Suite SSRF Attempt | Zimbra Collaboration Suite |
Mitigation Strategies
Organizations are advised to take the following steps to protect their systems:
- Promptly Patch and Secure Affected Systems: Ensure all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches.
- Apply Mitigations for Targeted CVEs: Implement specific mitigations for the listed CVEs.
- Restrict Outbound Access: Limit outbound access to only necessary endpoints.
- Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Set up alerts for any unexpected outbound requests and monitor for suspicious activity.
Additional Resources
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Conclusion
The coordinated surge in SSRF vulnerability exploitation attempts highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. Organizations must remain vigilant and take immediate action to protect their systems from these evolving threats.