CVE-2012-1154 in JBoss
Summary
by MITRE
mod_cluster 1.0.10 before 1.0.10 CP03 and 1.1.x before 1.1.4, as used in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 5.1.2, when "ROOT" is set to excludedContexts, exposes the root context of the server, which allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions and gain access to applications deployed on the root context via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1154 represents a critical access control flaw within the mod_cluster module version 1.0.10 before CP03 and 1.1.x before 1.1.4, which was integrated into JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 5.1.2. This issue stems from improper handling of the ROOT context configuration where the system fails to adequately restrict access to the root application context despite explicit exclusion settings. The flaw manifests when administrators configure the excludedContexts parameter to include the ROOT context, yet the underlying implementation does not properly enforce these restrictions, creating a security bypass mechanism.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the mod_cluster load balancing module's failure to correctly validate access permissions for the root context when it is explicitly listed in the excludedContexts configuration. This misconfiguration allows remote attackers to exploit the system through unspecified vectors that leverage the improper access control enforcement. The vulnerability specifically affects how the module processes requests to the root context, enabling unauthorized access to applications deployed within that context. The flaw resides in the module's inability to properly distinguish between legitimate access requests and malicious attempts to bypass the configured exclusion rules.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 5.1.2 with mod_cluster integration. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to applications deployed in the root context, potentially leading to data breaches, application compromise, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it allows attackers to bypass the intended security boundaries that should protect sensitive applications running in the root context. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the application platform by creating an unexpected access path that circumvents established access control policies.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a classic example of how configuration management flaws can create security weaknesses. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing, as attackers can leverage the bypassed access to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of mod_cluster, reviewing and strengthening access control configurations, and implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The recommended remediation involves applying the official patches for mod_cluster 1.0.10 CP03 and 1.1.4 versions, while also ensuring that proper access control policies are enforced through additional security layers such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems to prevent exploitation attempts.