Log4j Forever Changed What (Some) Cyber Pros Think About OSS


In late 2021, the Apache Software Foundation disclosed a vulnerability that set off a panic across the global tech industry. The bug, known as Log4Shell, was found in the ubiquitous open-source logging library Log4j, and it exposed a huge swath of applications and services. 


Nearly anything from popular consumer and enterprise platforms to critical infrastructure and IoT devices was exposed. Over 35,000 Java packages were impacted by Log4j vulnerabilities. That’s over 8% of the Maven Central repository, the world’s largest Java package repository. 


When Log4j was discovered, CISA Director Jen Easterly said, “This vulnerability is one of the most serious that I’ve seen in my entire career, if not the most serious.” 


Since Log4j surfaced, how has the security community responded? What lessons have we learned (or not learned)?


Significant Lingering Threat


Log4Shell is no longer a massive, widespread danger. Still, researchers warn that the vulnerability is still present in far too many systems. And actors will continue to exploit it for years to come. 


Log4Shell was unusual because it was so easy to exploit wherever it was present. Developers use logging utilities to record operations in applications. To exploit Log4Shell, all an attacker has to do is get the system to log a special string of code. From there, they can take control of their victim to install malware or launch other attacks. ..

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