CVE-2012-1167 in JBoss Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The JBoss Server in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 5.1.x before 5.1.2 and 5.2.x before 5.2.2, Web Platform before 5.1.2, BRMS Platform before 5.3.0, and SOA Platform before 5.3.0, when the server is configured to use the JaccAuthorizationRealm and the ignoreBaseDecision property is set to true on the JBossWebRealm, does not properly check the permissions created by the WebPermissionMapping class, which allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1167 represents a critical authorization flaw within the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform and related products. This issue stems from improper permission validation mechanisms within the JBoss server configuration, specifically when utilizing the JaccAuthorizationRealm alongside the JBossWebRealm with the ignoreBaseDecision property enabled. The flaw exists in multiple JBoss platform versions including Enterprise Application Platform 5.1.x before 5.1.2 and 5.2.x before 5.2.2, Web Platform before 5.1.2, BRMS Platform before 5.3.0, and SOA Platform before 5.3.0, creating widespread exposure across enterprise deployments.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the WebPermissionMapping class's failure to properly validate permissions when the ignoreBaseDecision property is set to true. This configuration setting bypasses fundamental authorization checks that should occur during the permission evaluation process. When a user authenticates to the system, the server should validate whether the authenticated user possesses sufficient privileges to access specific applications or resources. However, due to the flawed implementation, the authorization decision-making process becomes compromised, allowing authenticated users to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to applications that should be restricted to specific user roles or groups.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant security risk for organizations using affected JBoss platforms, as it enables remote authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and access sensitive applications without proper authorization. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can potentially allow attackers to access confidential business data, manipulate application functionality, or use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that any user who can establish a valid session with the application server can potentially leverage this flaw to access restricted resources.
The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access. Organizations deploying affected JBoss platforms face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability's exploitation typically involves establishing an authenticated session with the application server and then attempting to access restricted applications or resources that should normally be protected by proper authorization controls. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization implementation and the potential consequences when access control mechanisms are improperly configured or implemented.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions of the affected JBoss platforms, specifically versions 5.1.2 for Enterprise Application Platform, 5.2.2 for Web Platform, and 5.3.0 for BRMS and SOA Platforms. Organizations should also review their JBoss server configurations to ensure that the ignoreBaseDecision property is not set to true on JBossWebRealm when using JaccAuthorizationRealm. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring authentication attempts, and conducting regular security assessments can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls and privilege management policies to limit the potential impact should the vulnerability be exploited despite mitigation efforts.