CVE-2012-6107 in Axis2
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Axis2/C does not verify that the server hostname matches a domain name in the subject s Common Name (CN) or subjectAltName field of the X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof SSL servers via an arbitrary valid certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-6107 represents a critical SSL/TLS certificate validation flaw within Apache Axis2/C web services framework. This issue stems from the software's failure to properly implement hostname verification during SSL/TLS handshakes, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects the X.509 certificate validation process where the system does not rigorously check that the server's hostname matches the domain name specified in the certificate's subject common name or subject alternative name fields. This weakness allows attackers to conduct successful man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting any valid SSL certificate, regardless of whether it matches the target server's domain. The flaw essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of certificate-based authentication that is central to secure communications over the internet.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the SSL/TLS layer within the Axis2/C framework where certificate validation routines are insufficiently configured or implemented. When an SSL connection is established, the system should verify that the certificate presented by the server matches the hostname being accessed through a process known as hostname verification. This process typically involves checking the certificate's subject common name field or subject alternative name extensions against the actual domain name being accessed. In the case of CVE-2012-6107, this verification step is either completely omitted or improperly implemented, allowing any valid certificate to be accepted without proper hostname correlation. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-295, which specifically addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and falls under the broader category of weak cryptographic implementations that compromise secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data interception, as it enables sophisticated attack scenarios that can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker positioned in the network path between a client and server can easily intercept communications by presenting a valid certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority while impersonating the legitimate server. This allows for unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential credential theft, and the ability to modify communications in transit. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Axis2/C services often handle confidential business data, financial transactions, or personal information. The attack vector requires minimal technical expertise since it exploits a fundamental security configuration error rather than requiring complex exploitation techniques. Organizations using Axis2/C services are vulnerable to attacks that can bypass traditional security controls, making this a particularly concerning weakness in their security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6107 must address both immediate configuration fixes and longer-term architectural improvements. The most direct solution involves updating the Axis2/C framework to a version that properly implements hostname verification during SSL/TLS connections, typically requiring patching to a patched release that enforces proper certificate validation. System administrators should also configure the application to explicitly enable hostname verification in SSL/TLS settings, ensuring that certificate validation includes proper hostname matching checks. Network-level mitigations include implementing additional security controls such as certificate pinning, where applications are configured to only accept specific certificates or certificate authorities, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious certificate usage patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate monitoring solutions that can detect when unexpected certificates are presented during communications. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure web service implementation, emphasizing that proper SSL/TLS configuration is fundamental to maintaining secure communications in distributed systems. The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1573.001, which covers "Reversible Encryption of Data for Impact" and T1046, "Network Service Scanning", as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent surveillance capabilities across affected services.