CVE-2007-5153 in Java System Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sun Java System Access Manager 7.1, when installed in a Sun Java System Application Server 8.x container, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
Sun Java System Access Manager 7.1 represents a critical identity and access management solution that serves as a cornerstone for enterprise security infrastructure. When deployed within the Sun Java System Application Server 8.x container environment, this system becomes vulnerable to remote code execution attacks through unspecified attack vectors that exploit fundamental flaws in the application server's security architecture. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls within the authentication and authorization frameworks of the access manager component. This weakness allows malicious actors to bypass normal security boundaries and execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the interaction between the access manager's security mechanisms and the application server's container runtime environment. The unspecified attack vectors likely involve manipulation of authentication tokens, session management parameters, or direct exploitation of memory handling routines within the container's security subsystem. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and CWE-20 which covers input validation issues that allow attackers to manipulate system behavior through crafted inputs. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation attacks where initial access through a web application interface can be leveraged to achieve elevated system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Sun Java System Access Manager for their identity and access management needs. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, escalate privileges to administrative levels, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the enterprise network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the corporate firewall without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure, as compromised access manager systems often serve as central points for authentication and authorization across multiple applications and services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the Sun Java System Access Manager to the latest security releases, applying security updates to the underlying application server platform, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to critical security infrastructure. Security monitoring should focus on unusual authentication patterns, unexpected code execution attempts, and anomalous network traffic originating from the access manager server. The vulnerability also necessitates enhanced application firewall rules and the implementation of additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the attack surface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, with potential lateral movement opportunities through the compromised access management infrastructure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise security components and ensure comprehensive protection against sophisticated attack vectors that exploit similar architectural flaws.