CVE-2012-3428 in IronJacamar
Summary
by MITRE
The IronJacamar container before 1.0.12.Final for JBoss Application Server, when allow-multiple-users is enabled in conjunction with a security domain, does not use the credentials supplied in a getConnection function call, which allows remote attackers to obtain access to an arbitrary datasource connection in opportunistic circumstances via an invalid connection attempt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3428 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the IronJacamar resource adapter container that was part of JBoss Application Server. This container serves as a crucial component for managing database connections and other enterprise resources within Java application servers. The issue manifests specifically when the allow-multiple-users configuration parameter is enabled alongside a security domain, creating a dangerous combination that undermines the fundamental security principles of connection management. The flaw stems from the container's improper handling of authentication credentials during connection attempts, where it fails to validate or utilize the credentials provided in getConnection function calls, effectively allowing unauthorized access to database resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a design flaw in how IronJacamar processes connection requests when multiple user authentication is enabled. When a client attempts to establish a database connection through the getConnection method, the container should validate the provided credentials against the configured security domain before granting access to the underlying datasource. However, due to the flawed implementation, the system accepts connection attempts even when invalid or unauthorized credentials are supplied. This occurs because the container's authentication logic is bypassed or improperly implemented when allow-multiple-users is set to true, creating a scenario where any connection attempt may succeed regardless of the actual authentication status. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.0.12.Final, indicating that this was a known issue that required a specific patch to resolve the authentication mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to database resources. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain access to arbitrary datasource connections, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or complete system compromise. The opportunistic nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need to possess valid credentials for the target database, as the vulnerability allows for credential bypass during the connection establishment phase. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario for applications that rely on IronJacamar for resource management, as it undermines the security boundaries that should exist between different user contexts and database access levels. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to escalate privileges by simply making invalid connection attempts, which the system incorrectly processes as valid requests.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the 1.0.12.Final version or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate credentials during connection establishment. Security administrators should also review their configuration settings to ensure that allow-multiple-users is not enabled unless absolutely required, as this parameter directly contributes to the vulnerability's exploitation. Additionally, implementing network-level controls and monitoring for unusual connection patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper handling of authentication tokens, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in access control systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as it allows adversaries to obtain database access without proper authentication, potentially enabling further lateral movement within the affected systems and networks.