CVE-2016-2510 in Data Integrator
Summary
by MITRE
BeanShell (bsh) before 2.0b6, when included on the classpath by an application that uses Java serialization or XStream, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted serialized data, related to XThis.Handler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2510 affects BeanShell versions prior to 2.0b6 and represents a critical remote code execution flaw that leverages Java serialization mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically manifests when BeanShell is included in an application's classpath and the application processes serialized data through Java serialization or XStream libraries. The core issue lies within the XThis.Handler component of BeanShell, which fails to properly validate serialized objects during deserialization processes, creating an attack surface that allows remote adversaries to inject malicious code.
The technical flaw exploits the inherent trust model of Java serialization where deserialization processes automatically reconstruct objects without sufficient validation of the serialized data's integrity. When an application using XStream or standard Java serialization processes a maliciously crafted serialized object that includes BeanShell components, the deserialization process inadvertently executes arbitrary code within the application context. This occurs because BeanShell's XThis.Handler does not properly sanitize or validate the serialized objects it processes, allowing attackers to manipulate the deserialization flow to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring authentication or user interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and perform lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects applications that rely on Java serialization or XStream for data persistence, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such technologies are commonly used for data transfer and storage. The remote nature of the attack means that systems can be compromised from external networks, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to BeanShell version 2.0b6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the deserialization validation issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to applications that process serialized data, particularly those using XStream or Java serialization mechanisms. Input validation should be strengthened at all points where serialized data is processed, and applications should be configured to use secure deserialization practices that validate object types before deserialization occurs. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security weakness, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous deserialization patterns and unusual code execution behaviors that may indicate exploitation attempts.