CVE-2014-7853 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The JBoss Application Server (WildFly) JacORB subsystem in Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) before 6.3.3 does not properly assign socket-binding-ref sensitivity classification to the security-domain attribute, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging access to the security-domain attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7853 resides within the JacORB subsystem of Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform EAP versions prior to 6.3.3. This issue represents a critical misconfiguration in how the application server handles security domain attribute assignments, specifically within the socket binding reference sensitivity classification mechanism. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly enforce access controls on the security-domain attribute, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the socket-binding-ref sensitivity classification within the JacORB subsystem. When the security-domain attribute is accessed, the system does not correctly validate or restrict access based on the sensitivity classification of the associated socket binding. This misconfiguration allows authenticated users to traverse the security boundaries and access sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the application server processes and enforces security domain attributes, creating a path for unauthorized information retrieval.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote authenticated attackers to obtain sensitive information that could include authentication credentials, system configurations, or other confidential data stored within the security domain. The attack requires only authentication to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have legitimate access. The information disclosure could potentially lead to further privilege escalation, lateral movement, or comprehensive system compromise depending on the nature of the sensitive data exposed. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the application server's security infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and relates to the broader category of information disclosure issues within enterprise application servers. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential access, as it enables attackers to leverage existing authenticated sessions to extract sensitive information. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to JBoss EAP 6.3.3 or later versions where the socket-binding-ref sensitivity classification has been properly implemented. Additional controls such as network segmentation, strict access controls on management interfaces, and regular security audits of socket binding configurations can help reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security configuration management within enterprise application platforms, particularly in subsystems that handle sensitive authentication and authorization data. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of complex enterprise systems where multiple subsystems interact, as misconfigurations in one area can create unexpected security gaps that compromise the entire platform's security posture. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their application server configurations and ensure that all security domain attributes are properly classified and protected against unauthorized access attempts.