CVE-2013-4373 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
The storeFiles method in JPADriftServerBean in Red Hat JBoss Operations Network (JON) 3.1.2 allows local users to load arbitrary drift files into a server by writing the files to the temporary directory that is used to unpack zip files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4373 resides within the JPADriftServerBean component of Red Hat JBoss Operations Network version 3.1.2, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation through improper file handling mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the storeFiles method which processes drift files during the unpacking of zip archives, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's file structure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file paths and permissions during the temporary file processing phase, allowing unauthorized users to inject arbitrary files into the server's operational environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the improper handling of temporary directories used during zip file extraction processes. When JBoss Operations Network receives zip archives containing drift files, the system creates temporary directories to unpack these archives. However, the storeFiles method fails to properly validate or sanitize the file paths before writing content to these temporary locations. This oversight enables local users to craft malicious zip files that, when processed by the vulnerable JPADriftServerBean, result in arbitrary file placement within the server's file system. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper access controls and path validation during temporary file operations, creating a direct attack vector for privilege escalation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the JBoss Operations Network environment by allowing local users to potentially place malicious files in critical system locations. The ability to load arbitrary drift files means attackers could inject harmful content that might execute with elevated privileges or manipulate the system's drift detection mechanisms. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on JBoss Operations Network for system monitoring and management, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to establish persistent access or disrupt normal operations. The impact extends beyond simple file manipulation to potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks through the compromise of system integrity.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-73, which covers external control of file name or path. The attack surface aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation through file system manipulation and persistence mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting write permissions to temporary directories, implementing proper input validation for zip file processing, and ensuring that only authorized users have access to the vulnerable components. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that temporary file handling processes properly validate all file paths and implement appropriate sandboxing measures to prevent unauthorized file placement operations.