CVE-2011-4573 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat JBoss Operations Network (JON) before 2.4.2 does not properly enforce "modify resource" permissions for remote authenticated users when deleting a plug-in configuration update from the group connection properties history, which prevents such activities from being recorded in the audit trail.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4573 affects Red Hat JBoss Operations Network versions prior to 2.4.2, representing a significant authorization bypass issue within the platform's access control mechanisms. This flaw specifically targets the permission enforcement system that governs user interactions with plugin configuration updates within group connection properties history. The vulnerability exists in the audit trail functionality, where critical operations are not being properly logged due to insufficient permission checks during plugin configuration deletion processes. The issue stems from the application's failure to validate whether authenticated users possess the necessary modify resource permissions before allowing deletion actions on plugin configurations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the authorization framework where the system allows remote authenticated users to delete plugin configuration updates without proper permission verification. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the JBoss Operations Network's resource management and access control components. When users attempt to remove plugin configuration updates from group connection properties history, the system should validate their modify resource permissions before executing the deletion. However, the authorization check is either bypassed or inadequately implemented, allowing unauthorized operations to proceed without proper auditing. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized deletions, as it compromises the integrity of the system's audit trail. Security administrators rely on comprehensive audit logs to monitor and track all modifications to system configurations, particularly those involving plugin configurations that can significantly affect system behavior and security posture. When plugin configuration updates are deleted without proper permission checks and without being recorded in the audit trail, it creates blind spots in security monitoring and compliance reporting. This vulnerability undermines the system's ability to detect unauthorized modifications, potentially allowing malicious actors to remove evidence of their activities while simultaneously gaining unauthorized access to modify critical system configurations.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Red Hat JBoss Operations Network face substantial risks including potential privilege escalation, unauthorized configuration changes, and compromised security monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and demonstrates how insufficient access control validation can lead to security breaches. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as it allows attackers to perform unauthorized modifications while simultaneously avoiding detection through the audit trail. The lack of proper logging means that security incidents involving plugin configuration deletions may go unnoticed, providing attackers with opportunities to conduct prolonged unauthorized activities without detection.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Red Hat JBoss Operations Network version 2.4.2 or later, which includes proper authorization checks for modify resource permissions during plugin configuration deletion operations. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual deletion patterns in plugin configurations, even when the primary authorization mechanism is functioning correctly. Organizations should review and validate their current access control policies to ensure that all user permissions are properly configured and that appropriate audit logging is enabled for all critical operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the necessity of comprehensive audit trail mechanisms that cannot be bypassed through authorization flaws. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization bypass issues within the broader JBoss Operations Network environment and other enterprise management platforms.