CVE-2024-27894
HIGHCVE-2024-27894 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.5) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker. O3 Security confirms whether CVE-2024-27894 is actually reachable in your code before you act, and blocks exploitation at runtime until you patch.
Apache Pulsar: Pulsar Functions Worker Allows Unauthorized File Access and Unauthorized HTTP/HTTPS Proxying
Real-World Exposure
org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker☕org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker☕org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker☕org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker☕org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-workerReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects Maven packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
The Pulsar Functions Worker includes a capability that permits authenticated users to create functions where the function's implementation is referenced by a URL. The supported URL schemes include "file", "http", and "https". When a function is created using this method, the Functions Worker will retrieve the implementation from the URL provided by the user. However, this feature introduces a vulnerability that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access to any file that the Pulsar Functions Worker process has permissions to read. This includes reading the process environment which potentially includes sensitive information, such as secrets. Furthermore, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to use the Pulsar Functions Worker as a proxy to access the content of remote HTTP and HTTPS endpoint URLs. This could also be used to carry out denial of service attacks. This vulnerability also applies to the Pulsar Broker when it is configured with "functionsWorkerEnabled=true".
This issue affects Apache Pulsar versions from 2.4.0 to 2.10.5, from 2.11.0 to 2.11.3, from 3.0.0 to 3.0.2, from 3.1.0 to 3.1.2, and 3.2.0.
2.10 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.10.6. 2.11 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 2.11.4. 3.0 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.0.3. 3.1 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.1.3. 3.2 Pulsar Function Worker users should upgrade to at least 3.2.1.
Users operating versions prior to those listed above should upgrade to the aforementioned patched versions or newer versions.
The updated versions of Pulsar Functions Worker will, by default, impose restrictions on the creation of functions using URLs. For users who rely on this functionality, the Function Worker configuration provides two configuration keys: "additionalEnabledConnectorUrlPatterns" and "additionalEnabledFunctionsUrlPatterns". These keys allow users to specify a set of URL patterns that are permitted, enabling the creation of functions using URLs that match the defined patterns. This approach ensures that the feature remains available to those who require it, while limiting the potential for unauthorized access and exploitation.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☕Maven | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker | ≥ 2.4.0&&< 2.10.6 | 2.10.6 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker | ≥ 2.11.0&&< 2.11.4 | 2.11.4 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker | ≥ 3.0.0&&< 3.0.3 | 3.0.3 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker | ≥ 3.1.0&&< 3.1.3 | 3.1.3 |
| ☕Maven | org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker | ≥ 3.2.0&&< 3.2.1 | 3.2.1 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update org.apache.pulsar:pulsar-functions-worker to 2.10.6 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms CVE-2024-27894 is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether CVE-2024-27894 is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to CVE-2024-27894. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2024-27894 in your dependencies?
O3 detects CVE-2024-27894 across Maven dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.