CVE-2016-1999 in Release Control
Summary
by MITRE
The server in HP Release Control 9.13, 9.20, and 9.21 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2018
This vulnerability exists within HP Release Control versions 9.13, 9.20, and 9.21 where the server component is susceptible to remote command execution through a specially crafted serialized Java object. The flaw stems from the application's improper handling of serialized data objects, specifically within the Apache Commons Collections library which is a widely used Java utility library. When the server receives a malicious serialized object, it deserializes the data without proper validation, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary code that executes within the server's context. This represents a critical security weakness that falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data as a means for code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the release management environment.
The attack vector leverages the dangerous nature of Java deserialization vulnerabilities where attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that contain malicious code execution instructions. When the vulnerable HP Release Control server processes these objects, the Apache Commons Collections library's deserialization mechanism triggers the execution of attacker-controlled code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. The exploitation process typically involves creating a serialized Java object that contains a chain of method calls leading to command execution, often using gadgets from the Commons Collections library that can be chained together to perform arbitrary operations. This vulnerability aligns with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on Java deserialization attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on HP Release Control for managing software release processes and deployment workflows. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute commands with the privileges of the application server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of release management operations. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations if sensitive release information or source code is accessed or modified by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader network infrastructure since compromised release control servers often have access to various internal systems and databases. Additionally, the exploitation can result in denial of service conditions if the attacker corrupts the application's state or consumes excessive system resources. The long-term consequences include potential reputational damage, legal liability, and increased security costs for organizations that fail to patch this vulnerability in a timely manner.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability and reduce the risk of exploitation. The primary mitigation strategy involves applying the official security patches released by HP to update to versions that address the deserialization flaw in the Apache Commons Collections library. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the HP Release Control server and restrict remote connections to only necessary administrative interfaces. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary deserialization functionality within the application, implementing strict input validation on all serialized data, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities in system logs. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect patterns associated with known exploitation attempts for this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the mitigations are effective and to identify any additional vulnerabilities within the release control environment. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle potential exploitation of this type of vulnerability to ensure rapid response and containment in case of successful attacks.