CVE-2013-2185 in Jboss
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** The readObject method in the DiskFileItem class in Apache Tomcat and JBoss Web, as used in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.1.0 and Red Hat JBoss Portal 6.0.0, allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via a NULL byte in a file name in a serialized instance, a similar issue to CVE-2013-2186. NOTE: this issue is reportedly disputed by the Apache Tomcat team, although Red Hat considers it a vulnerability. The dispute appears to regard whether it is the responsibility of applications to avoid providing untrusted data to be deserialized, or whether this class should inherently protect against this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2185 represents a critical security flaw in the DiskFileItem class within Apache Tomcat and JBoss Web implementations. This issue manifests through the readObject method which fails to properly validate file names during deserialization processes, creating potential for arbitrary file write operations. The vulnerability specifically exploits the presence of NULL bytes within file names contained in serialized instances, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system write operations. This flaw affects Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform 6.1.0 and Red Hat JBoss Portal 6.0.0, though the Apache Tomcat team has disputed the classification of this issue, creating confusion around the true nature of the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the deserialization process. When a serialized object containing a DiskFileItem instance is processed, the readObject method does not sufficiently sanitize file name parameters. The presence of NULL bytes in file names can bypass normal file system access controls and path validation mechanisms, enabling attackers to write files to locations outside the intended directory structure. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and specifically relates to CWE-77, dealing with command and directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where deserialization occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through serialized data transmitted over network connections.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2185 extends beyond simple file system manipulation to potentially enable complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to write malicious files to critical system directories, deploy backdoors, or modify application configuration files. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, as the flaw can be triggered through network-based attacks targeting serialized data endpoints. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can lead to privilege escalation scenarios where attackers gain unauthorized access to system resources. The potential for code execution through malicious file placement makes this particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where application servers handle sensitive data and business-critical operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2185 require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the deserialization security concerns. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all serialized data, particularly focusing on file name parameters that may contain special characters including NULL bytes. The recommended approach involves configuring applications to reject serialized objects containing potentially dangerous characters or implementing custom deserialization logic that properly validates file paths before processing. Security practitioners should consider implementing application firewalls and network segmentation to limit exposure to deserialization endpoints. Additionally, organizations should review their deserialization practices against ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which addresses command and script injection. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to ensure that the underlying application server components are protected against known vulnerabilities in the deserialization process.