CVE-2014-3558 in Hibernate Validator
Summary
by MITRE
ReflectionHelper (org.hibernate.validator.util.ReflectionHelper) in Hibernate Validator 4.1.0 before 4.2.1, 4.3.x before 4.3.2, and 5.x before 5.1.2 allows attackers to bypass Java Security Manager (JSM) restrictions and execute restricted reflection calls via a crafted application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3558 represents a critical security flaw in Hibernate Validator, a widely used Java validation framework that implements the Bean Validation specification. This vulnerability specifically affects versions of Hibernate Validator prior to the mentioned patched releases, creating a significant risk for applications that rely on Java Security Manager for access control and sandboxing. The flaw resides within the ReflectionHelper class, which serves as a utility component for performing reflective operations during validation processes. The issue enables attackers to circumvent the Java Security Manager's protective mechanisms, effectively undermining the security boundaries that applications depend upon for preventing unauthorized code execution and access to restricted system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted application inputs that manipulate the reflection mechanisms within Hibernate Validator. When the framework processes validation requests, it utilizes the ReflectionHelper class to examine and interact with object properties and methods. Attackers can construct malicious input that causes the framework to perform unauthorized reflective operations, bypassing the JSM restrictions that should normally prevent such actions. This occurs because the ReflectionHelper implementation fails to properly validate or sanitize the reflection operations it performs, allowing attackers to leverage the framework's legitimate reflection capabilities to execute code that would otherwise be restricted by the security manager. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of Java's reflection API and security boundaries, where legitimate framework functionality becomes a vector for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected Hibernate Validator versions. Applications that depend on Java Security Manager for protecting against malicious input or restricting code execution capabilities become vulnerable to arbitrary code execution attacks. Attackers can potentially exploit this flaw to access sensitive system resources, perform unauthorized operations, and escalate privileges within the application's security context. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications are deployed with strict security policies, as it allows attackers to bypass these protections entirely. This creates a significant risk for enterprise applications that rely on validation frameworks for input sanitization and security enforcement, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to the patched versions of Hibernate Validator that contain the necessary security fixes. The recommended approach involves updating to Hibernate Validator 4.2.1, 4.3.2, or 5.1.2, depending on the specific version in use. Additionally, administrators should review and strengthen their application security configurations, ensuring that Java Security Manager policies are properly enforced and that applications do not rely solely on the framework's validation mechanisms for security boundaries. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual reflection patterns and validation operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application firewalls, input validation layers, and runtime protection mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure application design. The attack vector is classified under the ATT&CK technique of Privilege Escalation through Reflection, where adversaries leverage legitimate system capabilities to bypass security restrictions.