CVE-2012-6551 in ActiveMQ
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of Apache ActiveMQ before 5.8.0 enables a sample web application, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (broker resource consumption) via HTTP requests.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6551 affects Apache ActiveMQ versions prior to 5.8.0 and represents a significant security flaw in the default configuration of the messaging broker. This issue stems from the inclusion of sample web applications that are enabled by default, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to consume broker resources and potentially cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically manifests through HTTP requests that can be crafted to target the sample web application components, leading to resource exhaustion on the affected system.
The technical flaw lies in the default installation configuration where sample applications are not properly secured or disabled, allowing unauthorized access to potentially resource-intensive endpoints. When remote attackers send carefully constructed HTTP requests to these sample applications, they can trigger resource consumption patterns that deplete the broker's available memory, CPU cycles, or other system resources. This type of attack falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks, where the attacker leverages legitimate application functionality to consume system resources beyond normal operational limits. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or specialized privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the ActiveMQ server.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6551 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the entire messaging infrastructure. When the broker resources are consumed through this vulnerability, legitimate messaging operations may be disrupted, leading to message queuing failures, connection timeouts, and overall system instability. Organizations relying on ActiveMQ for critical messaging operations could experience significant downtime or service degradation, particularly in environments where the broker handles high volumes of messages or serves multiple applications. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in default configurations, where security considerations should be prioritized over convenience or demonstration purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include upgrading to Apache ActiveMQ version 5.8.0 or later, where the default configuration properly disables sample applications. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of ActiveMQ servers to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that sample applications and other non-essential components are disabled in production environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-489, which addresses the presence of debug code or sample code in production systems, and reflects tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the resource exhaustion category, specifically targeting the availability of services through excessive resource consumption. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.