CVE-2015-7501 in Rapid Planning
Summary
by MITRE
Red Hat JBoss A-MQ 6.x; BPM Suite (BPMS) 6.x; BRMS 6.x and 5.x; Data Grid (JDG) 6.x; Data Virtualization (JDV) 6.x and 5.x; Enterprise Application Platform 6.x, 5.x, and 4.3.x; Fuse 6.x; Fuse Service Works (FSW) 6.x; Operations Network (JBoss ON) 3.x; Portal 6.x; SOA Platform (SOA-P) 5.x; Web Server (JWS) 3.x; Red Hat OpenShift/xPAAS 3.x; and Red Hat Subscription Asset Manager 1.3 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections (ACC) library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting multiple Red Hat JBoss products including A-MQ, BPM Suite, BRMS, Data Grid, Data Virtualization, Enterprise Application Platform, Fuse, Fuse Service Works, Operations Network, Portal, SOA Platform, Web Server, OpenShift/xPAAS, and Subscription Asset Manager. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Apache Commons Collections library, which is widely used across the JBoss ecosystem for serialization operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious serialized Java objects that bypass security controls and execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The flaw specifically targets the deserialization process where untrusted data is converted back into Java objects, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common exploitation patterns described in CWE-502, which addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical security weakness. This particular flaw enables attackers to leverage the Apache Commons Collections library's internal mechanisms to execute arbitrary code, typically through the use of gadget chains that manipulate the deserialization process. The vulnerability affects a broad range of JBoss products spanning multiple versions, indicating that it likely resides in core serialization components rather than specific application logic. The attack vector requires remote access to systems running vulnerable JBoss applications, making it particularly dangerous for publicly exposed services or applications accessible over networks. Security researchers have identified that the exploitation occurs during the deserialization phase when the application processes serialized data from untrusted sources, allowing malicious payloads to be executed with the privileges of the running application.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7501 extends far beyond simple command execution, as it can enable complete system compromise and data exfiltration across affected JBoss installations. Organizations utilizing multiple JBoss products across their infrastructure face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability exists across various product lines and versions. The attack surface includes web applications, enterprise integration platforms, and middleware services that rely on Java serialization for data exchange. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability also presents challenges for incident response teams as it may be difficult to detect malicious activity, especially when attackers use sophisticated techniques to avoid standard security monitoring tools. Organizations may experience service disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations depending on the nature of the compromised systems and the data accessed through exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of affected JBoss products and the Apache Commons Collections library, as well as applying network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. Security teams should disable unnecessary serialization functionality and implement strict input validation for all data sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078 for "Valid Accounts" as attackers may leverage compromised systems to maintain persistence. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their entire JBoss deployment portfolio, as this vulnerability may exist in other products that utilize the same vulnerable library components. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires careful coordination across development, operations, and security teams to ensure complete patching while maintaining service availability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other third-party libraries and components used within the JBoss ecosystem.