CVE-2016-0782 in ActiveMQ
Summary
by MITRE
The administration web console in Apache ActiveMQ 5.x before 5.11.4, 5.12.x before 5.12.3, and 5.13.x before 5.13.2 allows remote authenticated users to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and consequently obtain sensitive information from a Java memory dump via vectors related to creating a queue.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
Apache ActiveMQ versions prior to 5.11.4, 5.12.3, and 5.13.2 contain a cross-site scripting vulnerability in their administration web console that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users. This vulnerability specifically manifests when users create queues through the web interface, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw resides in the insufficient sanitization of user input during queue creation operations, which directly relates to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. The vulnerability enables attackers to extract sensitive information from Java memory dumps, potentially exposing credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data stored in memory. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, escalate privileges, or gain unauthorized access to the messaging system. The issue is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability. This represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on ActiveMQ for message queuing, as the attack can be executed without requiring special privileges beyond standard user authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it involves executing malicious JavaScript code within the browser context. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent such attacks. The memory dump extraction capability indicates that attackers can potentially access sensitive JVM heap data, which may contain serialized objects, connection details, or other runtime information. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing web administration interfaces in enterprise messaging systems, as these interfaces often provide powerful administrative capabilities that can be exploited to compromise entire systems. The fix requires updating to the patched versions where proper sanitization of queue names and other user inputs has been implemented to prevent XSS injection vectors.
The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of queue names and other parameters when creating messaging queues through the web console. When users input queue names or other configuration parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before rendering them in web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of other authenticated users. The specific attack vector involves creating specially crafted queue names that contain script tags or other malicious payloads. The XSS vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by any authenticated user, not just administrators, making it a widespread threat within organizations that use ActiveMQ. The ability to extract information from Java memory dumps represents a sophisticated attack capability that goes beyond typical XSS exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive runtime data. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 as it represents improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and also relates to CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. The attack chain typically begins with an authenticated user creating a malicious queue with embedded JavaScript code, which then executes when other users view the queue management page. The exploitation can lead to session theft, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration from the Java runtime environment. Organizations using ActiveMQ should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and additional input validation layers beyond the default security measures. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web administration interfaces, particularly those that handle user-provided data and render it back to browsers. This particular flaw represents a significant risk to message queue security because it allows attackers to exploit the web console to gain deeper access to the underlying messaging infrastructure and potentially compromise the entire system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face substantial operational risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized access to message queues, and compromise of sensitive messaging infrastructure. The XSS attack can result in session hijacking where attackers steal user credentials and maintain persistent access to the ActiveMQ administration console. Memory dump extraction capabilities provide attackers with access to sensitive information that may include connection strings, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in the Java Virtual Machine heap. The vulnerability affects multiple version streams of ActiveMQ, requiring organizations to assess their deployment environments and ensure all systems are updated to patched versions. The attack requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any authenticated user within the system. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for financial institutions, government agencies, and other organizations that rely on secure message queuing for critical operations. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as the ability to extract memory information can provide attackers with detailed insights into the system's internal workings and data structures. Security teams must implement proper monitoring and logging of queue creation activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in web application development, particularly in the handling of user input within web interfaces. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input validation at multiple layers to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The patching process requires careful consideration of potential compatibility issues with existing applications that may depend on the vulnerable functionality, though the security benefits far outweigh the operational risks of maintaining unpatched systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all enterprise messaging systems.