CVE-2016-4373 in Operations Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The AdminUI in HPE Operations Manager (OM) before 9.21.130 on Linux, Unix, and Solaris 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 • 03/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4373 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the HPE Operations Manager AdminUI component, specifically affecting versions prior to 9.21.130 across Linux, Unix, and Solaris operating systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's deserialization process, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious Java objects that can be executed with the privileges of the affected service. The flaw directly leverages the Apache Commons Collections library, which has been a frequent target for exploitation due to its widespread use in enterprise applications and the existence of well-documented deserialization attack patterns. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities on the target system.
The technical exploitation mechanism of this vulnerability relies on the insecure deserialization of Java objects within the AdminUI interface. When the application processes user-supplied data containing serialized objects, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data before deserializing it. The Apache Commons Collections library contains classes that implement the InvokerTransformer pattern, which can be manipulated to execute arbitrary commands when deserialized. Attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable HPE OM AdminUI, trigger the deserialization chain and execute commands on the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and represents a common vector for remote code execution attacks in enterprise applications. The attack chain typically involves constructing a serialized Java object that, when deserialized, triggers the execution of system commands through the Commons Collections library's reflection capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4373 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core administrative interface of HPE Operations Manager, which typically runs with elevated privileges, amplifying the potential damage. Organizations using affected versions of HPE OM are at risk of having their monitoring and management capabilities compromised, potentially leading to service disruption, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly attractive for external attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to enterprise environments. This type of vulnerability is often mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution" within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, highlighting its potential for lateral movement and persistence.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2016-4373. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to HPE Operations Manager version 9.21.130 or later, which includes patches addressing the insecure deserialization vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the AdminUI interface, limiting exposure to only authorized administrative users. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and disabling unnecessary Java deserialization features where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns or command execution attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and implementing proper input validation controls, as the Apache Commons Collections library's deserialization capabilities have been the subject of numerous similar vulnerabilities in the past. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their application environments to identify other potential insecure deserialization vulnerabilities that may exist within their systems.