CVE-2012-3370 in JBoss Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
The SecurityAssociation.getCredential method in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 5.2.0, Web Platform (EWP) 5.2.0, and BRMS Platform before 5.3.1 returns the credentials of the previous user when a security context is not provided, which allows remote attackers to gain privileges as other users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3370 represents a critical security flaw within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of JBoss Enterprise Application Platform and related platforms. This issue stems from improper handling of security contexts within the SecurityAssociation class, specifically affecting versions 5.2.0 of EAP and EWP, as well as BRMS Platform versions prior to 5.3.1. The flaw manifests when the getCredential method is invoked without a proper security context, creating a scenario where the system inadvertently returns credentials associated with a previously authenticated user rather than the current context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in session management and credential isolation. When a security context is not explicitly provided to the SecurityAssociation.getCredential method, the system fails to properly validate or reset the credential state, leading to credential leakage between different user sessions. This behavior creates a privilege escalation vector where an attacker can potentially impersonate other users within the application environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the security framework's ability to maintain proper user isolation and authentication state management.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute unauthorized actions with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire application ecosystem. The flaw allows attackers to access resources, perform operations, and manipulate data as other users within the system, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if exploited successfully. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can enable attackers to traverse the application's security boundaries and access sensitive information or functionality.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege checking within security contexts. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user sessions and escalate their privileges within the application environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise enterprise applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patches provided by Red Hat for the JBoss platforms, ensuring that all systems are updated to versions that properly address the credential handling issue. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous credential usage patterns, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that proper authentication and authorization mechanisms are in place. Additionally, implementing proper session management practices and ensuring that all security contexts are properly validated before credential retrieval can help mitigate the risk of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper credential management and session isolation within enterprise application platforms.