CVE-2016-1986 in Continuous Delivery Automation
Summary
by MITRE
HP Continuous Delivery Automation (CDA) 1.30 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections library.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1986 affects HP Continuous Delivery Automation version 1.30, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through insecure deserialization of Java objects. This vulnerability specifically leverages the Apache Commons Collections library, which has been a frequent target for exploitation due to its widespread use in enterprise applications. The flaw exists in how the system processes serialized Java objects received from remote sources, creating an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious payloads that can be executed within the target environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of serialized objects within the CDA application's communication channels. When the system receives a serialized Java object, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before deserializing it, allowing an attacker to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a classic example of a server-side deserialization vulnerability that has been exploited in numerous high-profile attacks. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such automation tools are commonly deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to completely compromise the affected system and potentially escalate privileges to gain access to underlying infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for continuous delivery automation environments where systems often have elevated privileges and access to critical infrastructure components. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of commands through Java deserialization attacks, and demonstrates how modern attack frameworks leverage well-known vulnerabilities in widely used libraries to achieve their objectives.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of HP CDA, applying security patches to the Apache Commons Collections library, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, implementing application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of all Java applications that utilize serialization mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping third-party libraries up to date and implementing proper input validation controls, as the exploitation of such flaws often relies on outdated or unpatched components within the software supply chain. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.