> About Author
Hi, I'm Sharon, a product manager at Chaitin Tech. We build SafeLine, an open-source Web Application Firewall built for real-world threats. While SafeLine focuses on HTTP-layer protection, our emergency response center monitors and responds to RCE and authentication vulnerabilities across the stack to help developers stay safe.
Apache OFBiz, the open-source ERP framework used by many enterprises, was recently found vulnerable to a critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) flaw — tracked as CVE-2023-49070. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, making it a high-impact issue for businesses relying on OFBiz.
TL;DR
- CVE ID: CVE-2023-49070
- Impact: Remote Code Execution (no auth required)
- Affected versions: All versions prior to 18.12.10
- Fix: Upgrade to 18.12.10
- Detection supported by: SafeLine WAF, Yuntu, Quanshi
Vulnerability Background
This vulnerability stems from a long history of partial fixes:
- 2020: Authentication checks were added to patch CVE-2020-9496 — but bypasses remained.
- 2021: Filters were introduced to block malicious XML-RPC calls — again, bypassable.
- 2023 (April): Developers finally removed the XML-RPC handler in the main branch. However, only version 18.12.10 officially removes the XML-RPC feature in release builds.
Older releases still expose the vulnerable XML-RPC interface.
Exploitation Characteristics
Attackers can abuse the /webtools/control/xmlrpc endpoint with crafted HTTP requests that often include credentials and malicious payloads. Key indicators include:
- Unusual URI patterns (e.g., path traversal using
../or semicolons) - Traffic spikes targeting the
xmlrpcendpoint - Error logs related to XML-RPC deserialization
Impact
This vulnerability poses a serious threat:
- Code Execution: Full server compromise is possible.
- Data Breach: Potential for data theft, manipulation, or exposure.
- Business Disruption: Since OFBiz handles ERP operations, attackers could halt core business workflows.
Mitigation and Fix
Official Fix
Upgrade immediately to the latest version:
🔗 https://ofbiz.apache.org/download.html
Only 18.12.10 fully removes the XML-RPC handler.
Temporary Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away:
-
Disable XML-RPC: Block or redirect
/control/xmlrpcif it’s not required. - Network ACLs: Restrict external access to the endpoint via firewall rules.
- Monitoring & Logging: Deploy IDS/IPS or WAF (e.g., SafeLine) to watch for suspicious XML-RPC activity.
Reproduction Details
Product Detection Support
| Product | Support for CVE-2023-49070 |
|---|---|
| SafeLine WAF | ✅ Detects exploitation via updated rules |
| Yuntu | ✅ Fingerprint detection and PoC validation |
| Quanxi | ✅ Detects malicious behavior automatically |
Timeline
- Dec 4, 2023 – Vulnerability publicly disclosed online
- Dec 5, 2023 – Chaitin Lab successfully reproduced the exploit
- Dec 5, 2023 – Advisory published by Chaitin Emergency Response Team
References
Stay safe — and if you're using OFBiz in production, patch it now.
Join the SafeLine Community
If you continue to experience issues, feel free to contact SafeLine support for further assistance.
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