CVE-2024-45195 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-425 (Direct Request or Forced Browsing) affecting Apache OFBiz, an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) and e-commerce platform maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. The vulnerability exists in versions of Apache OFBiz prior to 18.12.16 and allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass authorization mechanisms by directly requesting URLs or resources that should be protected. This bypass occurs because the application does not properly enforce access control checks on certain endpoints or resources, enabling attackers to access sensitive data or perform unauthorized actions. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability's network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality (C:H), integrity (I:H), and availability (A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability's nature and severity make it a critical risk. The recommended mitigation is to upgrade Apache OFBiz to version 18.12.16, which includes the necessary patches to enforce proper access control. Additionally, organizations should audit their deployment configurations, implement strict access control policies, and monitor logs for suspicious direct requests that could indicate attempted exploitation.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-45195 can be substantial, especially for those relying on Apache OFBiz for critical business functions such as supply chain management, order processing, and e-commerce operations. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive business data, manipulation or deletion of critical records, and disruption of services, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance issues under frameworks like GDPR. The vulnerability's ability to be exploited remotely without authentication increases the risk of widespread attacks, including data breaches and ransomware deployment as a follow-up. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, retail, and logistics that use Apache OFBiz are particularly vulnerable. The disruption of ERP systems can halt business operations, affecting not only the targeted company but also its partners and customers across Europe. Furthermore, the critical severity rating underscores the urgency for European entities to prioritize patching and mitigation to prevent potential exploitation.

1. Immediate upgrade of Apache OFBiz to version 18.12.16 or later, which contains the official fix for CVE-2024-45195. 2. Conduct a thorough audit of access control configurations within Apache OFBiz to ensure no unauthorized direct requests can bypass authorization checks. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious forced browsing attempts targeting OFBiz endpoints. 4. Enable detailed logging and continuous monitoring of HTTP requests to identify unusual access patterns indicative of forced browsing or reconnaissance activities. 5. Restrict network access to the OFBiz management interfaces and sensitive endpoints using network segmentation and IP whitelisting where feasible. 6. Educate development and operations teams about secure coding and deployment practices to prevent similar access control issues in customizations or integrations. 7. Regularly review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving forced browsing and unauthorized access to ERP systems. 8. Engage in threat intelligence sharing with industry peers and national cybersecurity centers to stay informed about emerging exploitation attempts.