CVE-2015-5348 in Camel
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Camel 2.6.x through 2.14.x, 2.15.x before 2.15.5, and 2.16.x before 2.16.1, when using (1) camel-jetty or (2) camel-servlet as a consumer in Camel routes, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2022
Apache Camel versions 2.6.x through 2.14.x, 2.15.x before 2.15.5, and 2.16.x before 2.16.1 contain a critical remote code execution vulnerability that affects applications using camel-jetty or camel-servlet components as consumers. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of serialized Java objects within HTTP request parameters, creating a dangerous deserialization flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts scenarios where Camel routes utilize these components to consume HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous for web applications and services that rely on Camel's HTTP integration capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of serialized Java objects within HTTP request parameters when using the camel-jetty or camel-servlet consumers. When these components receive HTTP requests containing serialized Java objects, they fail to adequately validate or sanitize the incoming data before attempting to deserialize it. This deserialization process occurs without proper security controls, enabling attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable Camel application, trigger arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a deserialization vulnerability under CWE-502, specifically related to unsafe deserialization practices that can lead to remote code execution. The flaw exists in the HTTP request processing pipeline where serialized objects are automatically deserialized without proper input validation or security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over affected systems without requiring authentication or prior access. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request containing a malicious serialized Java object, which then gets deserialized by the vulnerable Camel application. This can result in arbitrary command execution, data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations running Apache Camel applications in production environments, particularly those using HTTP-based integration patterns, making it a significant concern for enterprise integration platforms and microservices architectures that rely on Camel's HTTP consumer capabilities.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Camel versions 2.15.5 or 2.16.1 and later to remediate this vulnerability, as these releases contain the necessary patches to prevent deserialization of untrusted input. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for HTTP request parameters, configuring network firewalls to restrict access to Camel endpoints, and employing application-level security controls such as object deserialization filters. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and monitoring for suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, and represents a critical threat to enterprise security infrastructure that requires immediate attention and remediation.