CVE-2015-5181 in JBoss A-MQ
Summary
by MITRE
The JBoss console in A-MQ allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5181 represents a critical security flaw within the JBoss console component of A-MQ messaging systems, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for message broker services. This vulnerability exists in the management console interface that provides administrative access to the messaging infrastructure, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw specifically manifests in the console's handling of user input within JavaScript execution contexts, where insufficient validation and sanitization allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the browser environment of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the JBoss console's web interface. When users interact with certain management functions or view specific administrative panels, the console fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within JavaScript contexts. This creates a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be leveraged to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects the web-based management console rather than the core messaging functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers who gain access to the console interface or by those who can manipulate console parameters through other attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5181 extends beyond simple script execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, modify console functionality, or even escalate privileges within the administrative interface. The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers who do not require any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are exposed to untrusted networks or have weak access controls. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution within web browsers, representing a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, disabling unnecessary console access, implementing proper network segmentation, and conducting thorough security assessments of their JBoss console configurations. Additional protective measures should include implementing web application firewalls, enabling strict content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious console activities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges and sensitive data are accessible. Security teams should also consider implementing regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar flaws in other web-based management interfaces and ensure comprehensive protection of enterprise messaging infrastructure against similar attack vectors.