CVE-2012-4549 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform. The `processInvocation` function within the `org.jboss.as.ejb3.security.AuthorizationInterceptor` component incorrectly authorizes all requests when no roles are defined for an Enterprise Java Beans (EJB) method invocation. This allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions for EJB methods, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4549 resides within the authorization mechanism of JBoss Enterprise Application Platform version 6.0.0 and earlier, specifically affecting the processInvocation function within the AuthorizationInterceptor component. This flaw represents a critical security oversight in the enterprise Java application server's access control implementation, where the system fails to properly enforce security restrictions when no explicit roles are defined for EJB method invocations. The issue stems from the software's default behavior of granting access to all requests when the authorization configuration lacks specific role restrictions, creating an unintended privilege escalation path that undermines the intended security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the AuthorizationInterceptor's processInvocation function which incorrectly handles scenarios where EJB method security constraints are either absent or improperly configured. When the system encounters an EJB method invocation with no defined security roles, it defaults to allowing all access rather than enforcing a strict deny-by-default policy. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a pathway for unauthorized users to execute privileged operations that should be restricted to specific roles. The flaw operates at the application level within the EJB security framework, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the core authorization mechanisms that protect enterprise applications from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4549 extends beyond simple access control bypass to potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data, perform administrative functions, or execute arbitrary code within the application server context. This represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where JBoss EAP is deployed, as it allows attackers to circumvent the security controls that are specifically designed to protect critical business applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments or systems where different user roles require distinct access levels, as it essentially renders role-based access control ineffective when no roles are explicitly defined.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to JBoss EAP version 6.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authorization bypass issue. Additionally, security administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their EJB security configurations to ensure that all method invocations have proper role restrictions defined, eliminating the conditions that would trigger the vulnerable default behavior. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing additional monitoring and logging of EJB access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers may leverage this weakness to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to protected enterprise resources.