CVE-2015-2828 in Spectrum
Summary
by MITRE
CA Spectrum 9.2.x and 9.3.x before 9.3 H02 does not properly validate serialized Java objects, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain administrative privileges via crafted object data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2828 affects CA Spectrum versions 9.2.x and 9.3.x prior to 9.3 H02, representing a critical security flaw in the application's object serialization mechanism. This issue stems from inadequate validation of serialized Java objects within the software's communication protocols, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model and escalate their privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization process that occurs when the application processes incoming data streams, particularly affecting systems that rely on Java-based serialization for data exchange between components.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to properly validate serialized Java objects received from authenticated users. When legitimate users submit crafted serialized object data, the system processes these objects without sufficient sanitization or validation checks. This weakness allows attackers to construct malicious serialized objects that, when deserialized by the vulnerable application, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the target system. The vulnerability is classified as a deserialization flaw, which aligns with CWE-502, a well-documented weakness in software systems that handle serialized data without proper security controls. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that adversaries must first establish legitimate credentials before attempting to exploit this vulnerability, though the subsequent privilege escalation can result in full administrative control over the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with administrative access to the CA Spectrum monitoring environment. This access enables comprehensive system compromise including the ability to modify monitoring configurations, access sensitive data, manipulate system resources, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on CA Spectrum for critical infrastructure monitoring, making it particularly dangerous for enterprises with extensive network monitoring deployments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over the monitoring platform, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system disruption, or use as a foothold for broader network infiltration activities. The attack can be executed remotely, making it particularly concerning for organizations that expose their monitoring systems to external networks or maintain remote access capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for CA Spectrum 9.3 H02 and higher versions, which address the deserialization validation issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to the vulnerable system. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual serialized object processing patterns, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper input validation and sanitization controls, as well as adhering to secure coding practices that prevent unsafe deserialization operations. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent execution of malicious serialized objects. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development, particularly regarding the handling of serialized data and privilege management within enterprise applications.