CVE-2016-0376 in SDK Java Technology Edition
Summary
by MITRE
The com.ibm.rmi.io.SunSerializableFactory class in IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition 6 before SR16 FP25 (6.0.16.25), 6 R1 before SR8 FP25 (6.1.8.25), 7 before SR9 FP40 (7.0.9.40), 7 R1 before SR3 FP40 (7.1.3.40), and 8 before SR3 (8.0.3.0) does not properly deserialize classes in an AccessController doPrivileged block, which allows remote attackers to bypass a sandbox protection mechanism and execute arbitrary code as demonstrated by the readValue method of the com.ibm.rmi.io.ValueHandlerPool.ValueHandlerSingleton class, which implements the javax.rmi.CORBA.ValueHandler interface. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2013-5456.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-0376 represents a critical sandbox bypass flaw within IBM's Java SDK implementations that affects multiple versions of the Java Runtime Environment. This issue specifically targets the com.ibm.rmi.io.SunSerializableFactory class which handles deserialization operations within the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) framework. The flaw exists in versions of IBM SDK Java Technology Edition including 6.0.16.25, 6.1.8.25, 7.0.9.40, 7.1.3.40, and 8.0.3.0, making it a widespread concern across different Java versions. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete remediation of a previous security issue, CVE-2013-5456, which demonstrates how security fixes can sometimes introduce new attack vectors if not thoroughly validated.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the SunSerializableFactory class processes serialized objects within an AccessController doPrivileged block. This block is designed to provide restricted execution context where code can perform privileged operations while maintaining security boundaries. However, the deserialization process fails to properly enforce these security restrictions, allowing malicious serialized data to escape the intended sandbox protection. The vulnerability manifests specifically through the readValue method of the ValueHandlerPool.ValueHandlerSingleton class, which implements the javax.rmi.CORBA.ValueHandler interface. This interface is responsible for handling the serialization and deserialization of CORBA value types, making it a critical component in distributed Java applications. When an attacker can manipulate the deserialization process, they can effectively execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running Java application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for systems running affected IBM SDK versions. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems without requiring authentication or specific privileges. This capability transforms what would normally be a limited sandboxed environment into a potential attack vector where malicious actors can gain full control over the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Java applications often run with elevated privileges, and the attack can potentially compromise entire application servers or distributed systems that rely on CORBA for inter-application communication. The fact that this vulnerability exists in multiple Java versions means that organizations across different technology stacks and deployment environments are at risk.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the official IBM security patches and updates that address the incomplete fix for CVE-2013-5456. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to IBM SDK versions that contain proper deserialization safeguards and comprehensive security fixes. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability allows for remote code execution without user interaction. Additionally, organizations should review their application code to ensure that no custom deserialization logic bypasses the security protections provided by the updated SDK. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution and CWE-502 for deserialization of untrusted data, making it a significant concern for security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.