CVE-2013-0314 in JBoss Enterprise Portal Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The GateIn Portal export/import gadget in JBoss Enterprise Portal Platform 5.2.2 does not properly check authentication when importing Zip files, which allows remote attackers to modify site contents, remove the site, or alter the access controls for portlets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0314 resides within the GateIn Portal export/import functionality of JBoss Enterprise Portal Platform version 5.2.2. This issue represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of the portal system. The vulnerability specifically affects the gadget import mechanism that processes Zip files, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to portal administrative functions. The flaw exists in the validation logic that should enforce proper authentication checks before permitting import operations, leaving the system vulnerable to remote exploitation without proper credential verification.
This authentication bypass vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, specifically manifesting as a failure to properly verify user credentials before granting access to privileged operations. The technical implementation flaw occurs in the import processing pipeline where Zip file contents are extracted and imported into the portal environment without adequate verification of the requester's authorization status. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious Zip archives that contain portal configuration files or content that would be imported with elevated privileges, effectively circumventing the normal access control mechanisms that should govern such operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data modification to encompass complete site manipulation capabilities.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing JBoss Enterprise Portal Platform 5.2.2. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to completely compromise portal integrity by modifying existing site contents, deleting entire sites, or altering access controls for portlets that may contain sensitive information or critical business functions. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for both destructive and stealthy modifications that could go unnoticed for extended periods. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1566 Phishing for potential credential harvesting, while also enabling T1484 Legitimate Credentials for maintaining persistence and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for executing malicious payloads through the portal's import mechanism.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patches released by Red Hat for JBoss Enterprise Portal Platform 5.2.2, which contain the necessary fixes to properly enforce authentication checks during import operations. Network-level mitigations should include restricting access to portal administrative endpoints through firewall rules and implementing strict access control lists that limit which IP addresses can initiate import operations. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling the export/import functionality entirely if it is not mission-critical, or implement additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication for portal administration access. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious import activities, particularly unusual file types or patterns of import operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar authentication bypass issues in other portal components or third-party integrations that may present similar risks.