CVE-2015-5254 in BI Publisher
Summary
by MITRE
Apache ActiveMQ 5.x before 5.13.0 does not restrict the classes that can be serialized in the broker, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted serialized Java Message Service (JMS) ObjectMessage object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2024
Apache ActiveMQ version 5.x prior to 5.13.0 contains a critical deserialization vulnerability that enables remote code execution through improper class restriction mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the broker's handling of serialized Java Message Service objects, specifically within the ObjectMessage implementation where the system fails to validate or restrict which classes can be deserialized during message processing. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious JMS ObjectMessage objects containing serialized Java objects that, when processed by the vulnerable broker, trigger arbitrary code execution on the target system. This represents a classic deserialization vulnerability where the application's trust model is exploited by attackers who can inject malicious serialized content into the message queue system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502 which describes unsafe deserialization of untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services through deserialization attacks. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, as the executed code runs with the privileges of the ActiveMQ broker process, which typically has significant system access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the messaging infrastructure and potentially move laterally within the network. The root cause stems from insufficient validation of serialized object types within the broker's message handling pipeline, allowing any serialized Java object to be processed regardless of its potential malicious intent. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and input validation, as the system assumes all incoming serialized data is safe without proper sanitization or class whitelist validation. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ActiveMQ is exposed to untrusted networks or external systems.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-5254 requires crafting a malicious ObjectMessage that contains serialized Java objects designed to execute arbitrary commands when deserialized by the vulnerable ActiveMQ broker. Attackers typically leverage existing gadget chains from libraries like Commons Collections or other deserialization libraries that contain methods which can be chained to achieve remote code execution. The vulnerability affects the broker's ability to properly validate incoming serialized objects, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls. The impact is severe because ActiveMQ brokers often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive data or system resources. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ActiveMQ serves as a central messaging component for distributed applications, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services, steal data, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack vector is straightforward - an attacker sends a specially crafted JMS ObjectMessage to the broker, which then deserializes the object during message processing, executing the malicious payload. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure deserialization practices and proper input validation in enterprise messaging systems. Organizations should immediately update to ActiveMQ version 5.13.0 or later, which implements proper class restriction mechanisms and validates serialized object types before deserialization. Additional mitigations include network segmentation to limit access to ActiveMQ brokers, implementing proper firewall rules, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of serialization mechanisms and regular security assessments of messaging infrastructure components to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by adversaries.