CVE-2016-0958 in Experience Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Adobe Experience Manager 5.6.1, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0 might allow remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted serialized Java object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2018
Adobe Experience Manager versions 5.6.1, 6.0.0, and 6.1.0 contain a vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through crafted serialized Java objects. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of serialized object data within the application's deserialization process, creating an attack surface where malicious payloads can be executed on the target system. The flaw represents a classic deserialization vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the Java object serialization mechanism to execute arbitrary commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize serialized Java objects received from untrusted sources. When the application processes these objects during deserialization, it does not implement adequate security controls to prevent the execution of malicious code contained within the serialized payload. This weakness allows attackers to craft specially designed serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable AEM instance, trigger unintended behavior including remote code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected Adobe Experience Manager versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring any prior authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where AEM systems are often exposed to external networks. Organizations may face significant financial and reputational damage if this vulnerability is successfully exploited, as it provides attackers with direct access to critical web applications and content management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Adobe Experience Manager installations to the latest available versions that contain security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of AEM systems to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, implementing application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of Java applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell' and T1071.004 for 'Application Layer Protocol: DNS' when such attacks are executed through serialized objects. Organizations should also consider implementing secure coding practices that avoid deserializing untrusted data and establish proper input validation controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom Java applications.