CVE-2014-0248 in JBoss Web Framework Kit
Summary
by MITRE
org.jboss.seam.web.AuthenticationFilter in Red Hat JBoss Web Framework Kit 2.5.0, JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (JBEAP) 5.2.0, and JBoss Enterprise Web Platform (JBEWP) 5.2.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted authentication header, related to Seam logging.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0248 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Red Hat JBoss Web Framework Kit and related enterprise platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the org.jboss.seam.web.AuthenticationFilter component which is part of the Seam framework used for web application development. The issue stems from improper handling of authentication headers that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary code during the authentication process, potentially compromising entire server infrastructures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure processing of authentication headers within the Seam framework's logging mechanisms. When the AuthenticationFilter receives a crafted authentication header, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing it through the logging system. This improper input validation creates a path for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed within the context of the web application server. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1133 for "External Remote Services" as attackers can leverage this to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected JBoss platforms. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected web server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. The vulnerability affects multiple Red Hat enterprise platforms including JBEAP 5.2.0, JBEWP 5.2.0, and JBoss Web Framework Kit 2.5.0, indicating a widespread exposure across enterprise web application deployments. Organizations running these versions are particularly vulnerable as the flaw exists in core authentication mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0248 require immediate action from system administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patches provided by Red Hat for all affected versions of JBoss Enterprise Application Platform, JBoss Enterprise Web Platform, and JBoss Web Framework Kit. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to authentication endpoints and consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious authentication header patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify potential additional vulnerabilities related to input validation and logging mechanisms. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in existing application functionality while maintaining the security posture of the entire platform.