CVE-2016-4405 in Commons Collections Library
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution vulnerability was identified in HP Business Service Management (BSM) using Apache Commons Collection Java Deserialization versions v9.20-v9.26
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2016-4405 represents a critical remote code execution flaw discovered in HP Business Service Management (BSM) software versions 9.20 through 9.26. This issue stems from the improper handling of serialized Java objects within the Apache Commons Collections library, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the deserialization process, which is a fundamental mechanism in Java applications for converting serialized data back into object form. When the BSM application processes untrusted input through this deserialization mechanism, it becomes susceptible to malicious payload injection.
The technical flaw manifests through the exploitation of the Apache Commons Collections library's deserialization vulnerability, which has been classified under CWE-502 as "Deserialization of Untrusted Data." This weakness allows attackers to craft specially crafted serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable BSM application, trigger unintended code execution. The attack vector typically involves sending malicious serialized data to the target system through network services that utilize the affected Java deserialization functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the serialization layer, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches and allowing attackers to bypass many security controls that focus on network-level threats.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4405 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected HP BSM versions. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core business service management functionality, which often serves as a central component in enterprise monitoring and management infrastructures. Organizations may experience disruption to critical business services, unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, and potential compliance violations due to the lack of proper access controls and audit trails. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for more sophisticated attacks, as compromised systems can serve as launching points for additional exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4405 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must ensure that all instances of HP BSM version 9.20 through 9.26 are updated to the latest secure versions that address the Apache Commons Collections deserialization vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected services to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual deserialization patterns and suspicious network traffic. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1106 for "Execution: Native API," as attackers may use the compromised systems to execute further malicious commands. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies, disabling unnecessary network services, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential attack vectors within the enterprise infrastructure that may be vulnerable to similar deserialization attacks.