CVE-2012-0034 in JBoss
Summary
by MITRE
The NonManagedConnectionFactory in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 5.1.2 and 5.2.0, Web Platform (EWP) 5.1.2 and 5.2.0, and BRMS Platform before 5.3.1 logs the username and password in cleartext when an exception is thrown, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading the log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0034 represents a critical security flaw in the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform and related products that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper logging practices. This issue affects JBoss EAP versions 5.1.2 and 5.2.0, JBoss EWP versions 5.1.2 and 5.2.0, and BRMS Platform versions prior to 5.3.1, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these platforms for enterprise applications and business process management. The flaw stems from the NonManagedConnectionFactory component's handling of exception scenarios where authentication credentials are inadvertently written to log files in plain text format rather than being properly sanitized or masked during error conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the connection management subsystem of JBoss platforms where the NonManagedConnectionFactory class fails to properly handle authentication credentials during exception processing. When connection failures or other runtime exceptions occur, the system logs the complete authentication context including usernames and passwords without implementing proper credential sanitization measures. This cleartext logging behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface where local adversaries can gain unauthorized access to sensitive authentication information simply by reading the application log files. The flaw operates at the application level and demonstrates poor input validation and output sanitization practices that are classified under CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of exception information.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0034 extends beyond immediate credential theft to encompass broader security implications including potential privilege escalation, unauthorized system access, and data breach scenarios. Local users who can access the log files gain immediate access to valid authentication credentials that can be used to impersonate legitimate users within the application environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that maintain long-running application instances where log files accumulate over time, potentially storing multiple credential exposures. The attack vector is relatively simple and requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it attractive to both internal and external threat actors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.001, which involves the exploitation of credential dumping and sensitive data exposure through application-level logging mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the configuration of secure logging practices that prevent credential exposure in log files, proper log file permissions and access controls, and regular log file audits to detect and remediate credential exposure incidents. The recommended approach involves modifying the NonManagedConnectionFactory implementation to sanitize authentication credentials before logging exceptions, implementing centralized log management with credential filtering capabilities, and establishing regular security scanning procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for log file access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can read sensitive log information. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of JBoss platforms where available, implementing proper credential handling procedures, and establishing security awareness training for development teams to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.