CVE-2016-2170 in OFBiz
Summary
by MITRE
Apache OFBiz 12.04.x before 12.04.06 and 13.07.x before 13.07.03 allow 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 • 07/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2170 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Apache OFBiz versions 12.04.x prior to 12.04.06 and 13.07.x prior to 13.07.03. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of serialized Java objects within the application's processing pipeline, creating a dangerous attack surface that enables remote adversaries to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The flaw specifically leverages the Apache Commons Collections library, which is widely used for collection manipulation in Java applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning due to the library's prevalence across numerous applications and frameworks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization mechanism that processes serialized Java objects without proper validation or sanitization. When Apache OFBiz receives a crafted serialized object through its communication channels, the application fails to implement adequate security checks during the deserialization process. This allows attackers to inject malicious serialized objects that, when deserialized, trigger unintended code execution. The vulnerability falls under CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical security weakness that can lead to remote code execution when objects are deserialized without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to gain complete control over affected Apache OFBiz instances without requiring authentication. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the application server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and similar remote execution techniques that can be facilitated through insecure deserialization.
Organizations running affected Apache OFBiz versions face significant risk of exploitation, particularly given the widespread use of the Apache Commons Collections library in enterprise applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites, making it attractive to both automated attacks and sophisticated threat actors. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of vendor patches, which typically involve upgrading to versions 12.04.06 or 13.07.03 that contain fixes for the deserialization vulnerability. Additional mitigations include network segmentation, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices when dealing with serialized data, as highlighted in industry best practices for preventing deserialization attacks and aligning with security frameworks that emphasize defensive measures against such critical vulnerabilities.