CVE-2024-10306 is a vulnerability identified in mod_proxy_cluster version 1.3.17, a module used for load balancing and clustering in Apache HTTP Server environments. The root cause is the incorrect use of the <Directory> directive in configuration files, which does not enforce IP or host-based access restrictions as intended by the 'Require ip IP_ADDRESS' directive. The correct directive to enforce such restrictions is <Location>. Because of this misconfiguration, any entity with network access to the host running mod_proxy_cluster can send MCMP (Mod Cluster Management Protocol) requests. These requests can manipulate the cluster by adding, removing, or updating nodes, potentially compromising the integrity of the load balancing setup. Although the host is not supposed to be accessible from public networks, if network segmentation is inadequate or if the host is inadvertently exposed, attackers could exploit this vulnerability. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.4 reflects a medium severity, with low attack complexity, requiring some privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity, as unauthorized changes to cluster nodes could lead to traffic interception or redirection. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the vulnerability demands attention due to the critical role of mod_proxy_cluster in traffic management.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-10306 can be significant in environments where mod_proxy_cluster is deployed to manage load balancing and clustering of web services. Unauthorized manipulation of cluster nodes could lead to traffic interception, unauthorized data access, or disruption of service routing, potentially exposing sensitive data or degrading service integrity. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where web service availability and data confidentiality are paramount. If attackers gain access to the cluster management interface, they could redirect traffic to malicious nodes or remove legitimate nodes, causing service disruption or data leakage. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability does not directly cause denial of service, the integrity and confidentiality risks are non-trivial. European organizations with insufficient network segmentation or exposed internal management hosts are at higher risk.

To mitigate CVE-2024-10306, organizations should immediately review and update their mod_proxy_cluster configurations by replacing all <Directory> directives intended to restrict access with <Location> directives, which properly enforce IP-based access controls. Network administrators must ensure that the host running mod_proxy_cluster is not accessible from public or untrusted networks, implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules to limit access to trusted IP addresses only. Regular audits of configuration files and network access policies should be conducted to detect any misconfigurations or exposures. Additionally, organizations should monitor network traffic for unusual MCMP requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. Applying any available patches or updates from the mod_proxy_cluster maintainers as soon as they are released is critical. Finally, implementing strong authentication and authorization mechanisms around cluster management interfaces can further reduce risk.