CVE-2016-3737 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
The server in Red Hat JBoss Operations Network (JON) before 3.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted HTTP request, related to message deserialization.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3737 affects Red Hat JBoss Operations Network version 3.3.5 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper message deserialization handling within the server component. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems by crafting specially designed HTTP requests that exploit the vulnerable deserialization process. The vulnerability stems from the server's insufficient validation and sanitization of serialized data received through HTTP communication channels, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses categorized under CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data. When the JBoss Operations Network server processes HTTP requests containing maliciously crafted serialized objects, the application fails to properly validate the integrity and authenticity of the deserialized content. This failure allows attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust placed in serialized data structures during normal operational procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected JBoss Operations Network environment. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data access, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure where the JBoss server operates. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential damage scope, particularly in enterprise environments where JBoss Operations Network serves as a critical infrastructure component for monitoring and managing IT operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches for JBoss Operations Network version 3.3.6 and later, which address the deserialization vulnerability through enhanced input validation and secure deserialization practices. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict unnecessary HTTP access to the JBoss server components, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect and alert on suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach should also include regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems within the infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasize the need for robust defenses against malicious code injection through application layer vulnerabilities.