CVE-2012-2312 in JBoss AS 7 Community Release
Summary
by MITRE
An Elevated Privileges issue exists in JBoss AS 7 Community Release due to the improper implementation in the security context propagation, A threat gets reused from the thread pool that still retains the security context from the process last used, which lets a local user obtain elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2312 represents a critical elevation of privileges flaw within JBoss Application Server 7 Community Release, specifically stemming from inadequate security context propagation mechanisms. This issue manifests when the application server reuses threads from its thread pool without properly clearing or resetting the security context that was established during the previous operation. The flaw occurs at the core level of the server's thread management system where security contexts are not adequately isolated between concurrent operations, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by local users.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the server's failure to properly implement security context isolation during thread reuse scenarios. When threads are returned to the pool after completing their assigned tasks, the security context information remains embedded within the thread's memory space. This persistence allows a malicious local user to potentially inherit elevated privileges from previous operations performed by the same thread, effectively bypassing the normal access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability specifically affects the security context propagation mechanisms that are fundamental to the server's authorization system, creating a direct pathway for privilege abuse through thread reuse patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. A local attacker who can successfully exploit this vulnerability gains the ability to perform actions with the elevated privileges of the previous user or process that utilized the compromised thread. This could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, modification of critical application components, or even complete system takeover depending on the permissions associated with the security context being inherited. The threat landscape is particularly concerning because the vulnerability is present in the server's core threading infrastructure, making it difficult to detect and remediate without comprehensive system analysis.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges to gain system access. The flaw essentially creates a persistent security context that can be exploited across multiple operations, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where thread reuse is common. Organizations utilizing JBoss AS 7 Community Release should consider implementing immediate mitigations including thread context isolation measures, enhanced monitoring for unusual privilege escalation patterns, and regular security audits of thread management configurations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security context handling in multi-threaded applications and highlights the critical need for thorough testing of privilege management mechanisms in enterprise application servers.