CVE-2015-0225 in Cassandra
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration in Apache Cassandra 1.2.0 through 1.2.19, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13, and 2.1.0 through 2.1.3 binds an unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface to all network interfaces, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via an RMI request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0225 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Cassandra database systems that affects versions ranging from 1.2.0 through 1.2.19, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13, and 2.1.0 through 2.1.3. This issue stems from the default configuration that exposes an unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface across all network interfaces, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring any authentication credentials. The flaw specifically targets the Java Management Extensions remote management interface that enables monitoring and management of Java applications, but in this case, it operates without proper authentication mechanisms in place.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the binding of the JMX/RMI interface to all available network interfaces rather than restricting it to localhost only, which is the recommended security practice. When the JMX service listens on all interfaces, it becomes accessible from any network location, allowing attackers to establish connections and potentially execute arbitrary Java code through carefully crafted RMI requests. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically concerning the exposure of administrative interfaces without proper authentication. The underlying mechanism leverages the Java Remote Method Invocation protocol, which is designed to enable communication between Java virtual machines, but when improperly configured, it becomes a vector for remote code execution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over affected Cassandra instances. Attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Cassandra process, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data corruption, system compromise, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it trivial to exploit from any network location. This represents a classic privilege escalation scenario where an unauthenticated remote attacker can gain administrative access to database systems, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves executing code through Java Runtime Environment, and T1046, which focuses on network service scanning to identify vulnerable systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to prevent exploitation, including configuring the JMX service to bind only to localhost interfaces, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, and restricting network access through firewalls. The recommended approach involves modifying the Cassandra configuration to disable remote JMX access or to configure it with strong authentication credentials. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to Cassandra instances, and regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that default configurations are not being used in production environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure default configurations and the principle of least privilege in system administration, where services should only be accessible from trusted locations and require proper authentication before granting access to administrative functions.