CVE-2014-1972 in Tapestry
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Tapestry before 5.3.6 relies on client-side object storage without checking whether a client has modified an object, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption) or execute arbitrary code via crafted serialized data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
Apache Tapestry framework versions prior to 5.3.6 contain a critical vulnerability that stems from improper validation of client-side object serialization mechanisms. This flaw exists within the framework's handling of serialized data objects that are transmitted between client and server components. The vulnerability manifests when the application relies on client-side storage of object state without implementing proper integrity checks or validation mechanisms to verify that the data has not been tampered with during transmission. This design weakness creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject crafted serialized objects that can manipulate the application's internal state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the framework's trust in client-side data persistence mechanisms. When Tapestry applications serialize object state for client-side storage, they typically use Java serialization or similar mechanisms to maintain component state across requests. However, versions before 5.3.6 fail to validate the integrity of these serialized objects upon deserialization, allowing attackers to modify serialized data structures before they are processed by the server. This can result in the execution of arbitrary code through deserialization attacks, where malicious payloads are embedded within the serialized objects and executed during the deserialization process. The vulnerability can also be exploited for resource exhaustion attacks, where crafted serialized data consumes excessive memory or processing resources, leading to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1972 extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant security and stability risks for affected applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable servers, potentially gaining full control over the application environment and accessing sensitive data. The resource consumption aspect of this vulnerability can lead to sustained denial of service conditions that are difficult to detect and mitigate. Applications using affected Tapestry versions are particularly vulnerable in environments where user input is processed through the framework's component state management system, making web applications with complex user interactions especially susceptible to exploitation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate application of the patch released by Apache Software Foundation in Tapestry version 5.3.6 and subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all serialized data flowing through their applications, ensuring that any client-side data is properly verified before processing. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious serialized data patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, application developers should review their Tapestry applications for any custom serialization mechanisms that might be vulnerable to similar attacks, implementing proper object validation and integrity checking procedures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation categories, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for scripting languages and T1068 for exploit development. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Tapestry applications to identify all potential attack vectors and ensure complete remediation of this vulnerability across their entire application portfolio.