CVE-2024-6162 is a vulnerability identified in the Undertow web server framework, specifically affecting versions up to 2.3.0.Alpha1. The flaw arises from the mishandling of URL-encoded request paths when processed concurrently on the AJP (Apache JServ Protocol) listener. Undertow uses a shared buffer to decode these paths, but concurrent requests cause this buffer to be overwritten or corrupted, leading to incorrect path information being processed. Consequently, the server may attempt to access incorrect resources, resulting in HTTP 404 errors or other application-level failures. This behavior can disrupt normal service operations, effectively causing a denial of service (DoS) condition by making legitimate resources unavailable. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity but severely impacts availability. It can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it a significant risk for exposed Undertow instances. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the ease of triggering this flaw suggests potential for future exploitation. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.5 reflects a high severity, driven by network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The issue is particularly relevant for environments where Undertow is used as a backend or front-facing server with AJP enabled, commonly found in Java-based enterprise applications and middleware stacks.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-6162 is service disruption due to denial of service conditions caused by path decoding errors. This can lead to downtime of web applications relying on Undertow, affecting business continuity, user experience, and potentially causing financial losses. Critical infrastructure or government services using Undertow could face availability issues, undermining trust and operational stability. Since the vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity, data breaches are unlikely; however, the loss of availability can indirectly impact compliance with regulations such as GDPR if service interruptions affect data access or processing. The ease of exploitation and lack of required authentication increase the risk profile, especially for externally facing services. Organizations with high traffic volumes or concurrent request loads are more susceptible to triggering the flaw, amplifying the potential impact. Additionally, the inability to correctly route requests may complicate incident response and troubleshooting efforts.

To mitigate CVE-2024-6162, organizations should prioritize upgrading Undertow to a patched version once released by the maintainers. Until a patch is available, consider disabling the AJP listener if it is not essential, or restrict access to it via network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. Implement rate limiting and concurrency controls on incoming requests to reduce the likelihood of simultaneous path decoding conflicts. Monitoring logs for unusual 404 errors or application failures can help detect exploitation attempts early. Employ application-layer gateways or reverse proxies to validate and sanitize incoming requests before they reach Undertow. Additionally, conduct thorough testing of web applications under concurrent load to identify and address any related stability issues. Engage with vendors and open-source communities for timely updates and advisories. Document and rehearse incident response plans focused on availability disruptions to minimize downtime impact.