CVE-2022-24881 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94, affecting the ballcat-codegen component of the ballcat-projects suite. Ballcat Codegen is a tool that facilitates online editing and generation of code templates, leveraging template engines such as Apache Velocity and FreeMarker. In versions prior to 1.0.0.beta.2, the software fails to properly validate user inputs before processing them through these template engines. This lack of input sanitization allows an attacker to inject malicious code into the templates, which the template engine then executes. This results in remote code execution (RCE) capabilities for the attacker, potentially allowing full control over the affected system. The vulnerability arises because the template engines inherently support dynamic code evaluation, and without strict input validation, they become vectors for executing arbitrary code. The issue was addressed and fixed in version 1.0.0.beta.2 by implementing appropriate input validation and sanitization mechanisms. There are no known exploits in the wild as of the published date, and no official patches linked, but upgrading to the fixed version is recommended. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 26, 2022, and is considered medium severity due to the potential impact and the conditions required for exploitation.

For European organizations using ballcat-codegen versions prior to 1.0.0.beta.2, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of remote code execution, which can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and system compromise. Given that ballcat-codegen is a code generation tool, it is likely used in development environments or continuous integration pipelines. Exploitation could allow attackers to inject malicious code into generated templates, potentially compromising the integrity of software builds and introducing backdoors or malware into production systems. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR requirements for data protection. Furthermore, if the compromised systems are part of critical infrastructure or handle sensitive data, the impact could extend to availability and confidentiality breaches. The medium severity rating reflects that exploitation requires the attacker to have access to the online code editing interface or the ability to submit templates, which may limit the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk. Organizations relying on this tool for automated code generation should be aware of the risk of supply chain contamination and the potential for lateral movement within their networks if exploited.

1. Immediate upgrade to ballcat-codegen version 1.0.0.beta.2 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Restrict access to the online code editing interface to trusted users only, implementing strong authentication and authorization controls. 3. Implement network segmentation to isolate development and code generation environments from production systems to limit potential lateral movement. 4. Employ input validation and sanitization at the application layer if customization of the tool is necessary, ensuring no untrusted input reaches the template engines. 5. Monitor logs and audit trails for unusual template submissions or execution patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and code reviews of generated templates to detect injected malicious code. 7. Use runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious template engine payloads. 8. Educate developers and DevOps teams about the risks of code injection vulnerabilities in template engines and enforce secure coding practices.