CVE-2013-4128 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 6.1.0 does not properly cache EJB invocations by remote-naming, which allows remote attackers to hijack sessions by using a remoting client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4128 affects Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform version 6.1.0 and represents a significant security flaw in the enterprise application server's handling of Enterprise JavaBeans invocations. This issue stems from improper caching mechanisms within the remote-naming functionality that governs how EJB components communicate across network boundaries. The flaw exists in the way the platform manages cached references to remote EJB objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit session hijacking opportunities through carefully crafted remoting client interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of EJB remote invocation caching behavior within the JBoss EAP 6.1.0 runtime environment. When applications make remote EJB calls, the platform typically caches these references to optimize performance and reduce network overhead. However, the flawed caching implementation fails to properly validate or isolate these cached references, allowing an attacker with network access to potentially intercept and reuse cached EJB session identifiers. This weakness specifically impacts the remote-naming subsystem which handles the resolution and caching of remote EJB references, creating a persistent vulnerability that can be exploited across multiple sessions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to enterprise application security as it enables remote attackers to hijack active user sessions without requiring authentication credentials. The attack vector involves a malicious remoting client that can manipulate the cached EJB references to gain unauthorized access to application resources and user sessions. This capability can lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized transactions within applications running on the affected JBoss EAP platform. The impact extends beyond simple session hijacking to potentially compromise the entire application stack, as EJB components often handle sensitive business logic and data access operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms in distributed application environments. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 credential access through network-based attacks that leverage application layer vulnerabilities. Organizations running JBoss EAP 6.1.0 are particularly vulnerable as the flaw affects core application server functionality that is fundamental to enterprise application deployment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any network location with access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in cloud and hybrid deployment environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4128 require immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates to the JBoss EAP platform. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of EJB endpoints to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include enabling strong authentication mechanisms, implementing proper session management controls, and monitoring for suspicious EJB invocation patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar caching vulnerabilities in other enterprise application platforms. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent session hijacking attacks.