CVE-2016-2171 in JetSpeed
Summary
by MITRE
The User Manager service in Apache Jetspeed before 2.3.1 does not properly restrict access using Jetspeed Security, which allows remote attackers to (1) add, (2) edit, or (3) delete users via the REST API.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2171 affects Apache Jetspeed versions prior to 2.3.1 and resides within the User Manager service component. This represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security controls designed to protect user management operations within the web application framework. The issue specifically manifests in the REST API endpoints that handle user account modifications, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote actors to manipulate user data without proper authentication or privilege verification.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient access control implementation within Jetspeed's security architecture. When the User Manager service processes requests through the REST API, it fails to validate whether the requesting entity possesses appropriate permissions to perform user management operations. This authorization bypass occurs at the service layer where user creation, modification, and deletion functions are exposed without adequate security checks. The vulnerability essentially allows any remote attacker who can reach the REST endpoints to execute user management actions, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of user accounts within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating potential for significant damage to the affected system and its users. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges by adding new administrative accounts, modifying existing user permissions, or deleting critical user accounts to disrupt system functionality. This capability directly violates fundamental security principles and enables attackers to maintain persistent access or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects the availability, integrity, and confidentiality aspects of the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user management controls are critical for operational security.
Organizations utilizing Apache Jetspeed versions before 2.3.1 should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Apache Jetspeed 2.3.1 or later versions where the access control mechanisms have been properly implemented. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to the REST API endpoints until the upgrade can be completed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1484 for accounts used for persistence. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of user management activities and monitor for suspicious API access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data operations. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation and authorization checks can create severe security risks. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing procedures including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar authorization gaps in their application frameworks. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software components and following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies to prevent unauthorized access to critical system functions.