CVE-2014-3464 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The EJB invocation handler implementation in Red Hat JBossWS, as used in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 6.2.0 and 6.3.0, does not properly enforce the method level restrictions for outbound messages, which allows remote authenticated users to access otherwise restricted JAX-WS handlers by leveraging permissions to the EJB class. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2013-2133.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3464 represents a critical authorization flaw within the JBossWS EJB invocation handler implementation that affects Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform versions 6.2.0 and 6.3.0. This security weakness stems from insufficient enforcement of method-level access controls for outbound messages, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass intended security restrictions. The flaw specifically targets the JAX-WS handler access controls that should normally prevent unauthorized access to restricted methods and services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it arises from an incomplete remediation of a previous issue, CVE-2013-2133, indicating that security fixes may not have been thoroughly implemented or tested. This creates a dangerous precedent where organizations believe they have addressed security concerns only to discover that the underlying architectural flaw remains partially unresolved. The vulnerability exists within the core messaging infrastructure of the application server, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and access restricted functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the EJB invocation handler's failure to properly validate method-level permissions when processing outbound messages. When authenticated users make requests through the JAX-WS framework, the system should verify that the requesting entity has appropriate authorization to access specific methods and handlers. However, the flawed implementation allows attackers to leverage their existing permissions to the EJB class to gain access to restricted JAX-WS handlers that should otherwise be protected. This occurs because the security boundary between EJB access controls and JAX-WS handler access is improperly enforced, creating a privilege escalation vector. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes outbound messages where the EJB invocation handler fails to properly validate the security context and method permissions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks in enterprise application frameworks. The implementation error likely occurs in the security validation logic within the JBossWS component that handles EJB method invocations and outbound message processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the affected application environment. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access restricted JAX-WS handlers that may contain sensitive business logic, data processing functions, or administrative interfaces. This access could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or further privilege escalation within the application platform. The vulnerability affects the core enterprise application infrastructure, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise multiple applications running on the same platform. Organizations using JBoss EAP 6.2.0 and 6.3.0 are particularly at risk since these versions contain the vulnerable code that allows attackers to bypass the intended security controls. The impact is compounded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the messaging layer of the application server, which is fundamental to how applications communicate and process data within the enterprise environment. Attackers could potentially use this access to manipulate business processes, extract confidential information, or disrupt critical services that depend on the JAX-WS framework.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that address the incomplete fix for CVE-2013-2133 and properly implement the authorization controls for EJB invocation handlers. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions of JBoss EAP that contain complete fixes for both CVE-2013-2133 and CVE-2014-3464, as these versions should provide proper enforcement of method-level restrictions for outbound messages. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to JAX-WS handlers and EJB methods. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting access to the vulnerable application server components. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for persistence and privilege escalation. Organizations must also conduct thorough security testing to verify that the security controls are properly implemented and that no additional bypass mechanisms exist within the application platform. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar authorization flaws in other components of the enterprise application infrastructure.