CVE-2016-5422 in JBoss Operations Network
Summary
by MITRE
The web console in Red Hat JBoss Operations Network (JON) before 3.3.7 does not properly authorize requests to add users with the super user role, which allows remote authenticated users to gain admin privileges via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5422 affects Red Hat JBoss Operations Network JON versions prior to 3.3.7, specifically targeting the web console's authorization mechanisms. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of the platform by allowing authenticated users to bypass intended access controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user roles during the user addition process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to elevate their privileges without proper authorization.
The technical flaw manifests in the web console's improper handling of POST requests designed to add new users with super user privileges. When an authenticated user submits a crafted POST request to the user management endpoint, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative permissions to grant super user roles to other accounts. This authorization bypass occurs because the application does not perform adequate role-based access control checks before processing user creation requests, particularly those involving elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists in the backend validation logic where the system assumes that any authenticated user can create accounts with administrative capabilities, ignoring the principle of least privilege.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on Red Hat JBoss Operations Network for infrastructure monitoring and management. An attacker who has gained access to any valid user account within the system can exploit this flaw to create a new super user account, thereby gaining complete administrative control over the JON platform. This compromise allows the attacker to view, modify, or delete all monitored resources, access sensitive configuration data, and potentially use the elevated privileges to pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability essentially transforms any authenticated user into a potential administrator, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the platform.
Organizations should immediately apply the security patch released by Red Hat for JON version 3.3.7 and subsequent releases to remediate this vulnerability. The fix involves implementing proper authorization checks that verify the requesting user's permissions before allowing the creation of accounts with super user privileges. System administrators should also conduct thorough access reviews to identify any unauthorized super user accounts that may have been created through this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the JON web console, enabling multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for suspicious user creation activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative functions.