CVE-2016-3642 in Virtualization Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The RMI service in SolarWinds Virtualization Manager 6.3.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted serialized Java object, related to the Apache Commons Collections (ACC) library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3642 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the SolarWinds Virtualization Manager 6.3.1 and earlier versions. This issue specifically affects the RMI service component that utilizes the Apache Commons Collections library, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious commands. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and deserialization handling within the application's remote method invocation framework, which processes serialized Java objects without adequate security measures. This flaw directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the virtualization management environment, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire system infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the well-known deserialization vulnerability pattern that has been extensively documented in security literature and frameworks such as CWE-502, which specifically addresses "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical security weakness. Attackers can craft malicious serialized Java objects that, when processed by the vulnerable RMI service, trigger arbitrary code execution on the target system. The Apache Commons Collections library, which is commonly used in Java applications for data manipulation, contains known dangerous methods that can be exploited during the deserialization process to execute system commands. This attack vector operates at the application layer and can be initiated from any remote location, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network exposure is high. The vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK framework as a remote service attack technique, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate application interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3642 extends beyond simple remote code execution, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system, escalate privileges, and move laterally within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected SolarWinds Virtualization Manager versions face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposure of critical infrastructure management tools. The vulnerability affects not only individual hosts but can also impact the broader virtualization environment, potentially compromising multiple virtual machines and their associated resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SolarWinds products are widely deployed in enterprise environments, making successful exploitation a high-value target for both nation-state actors and organized cybercriminal groups seeking to gain access to critical infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected SolarWinds Virtualization Manager installations to version 6.4.0 or later, which includes the necessary security fixes for the Apache Commons Collections deserialization issue. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the RMI service to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious deserialization activities, implementing application whitelisting policies, and conducting thorough security assessments of the virtualization management environment. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary RMI services and ensuring that all Java applications are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing virtualization workflows and management operations.