CVE-2016-6311 in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Get requests in JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 7 discloses internal IP address to remote attackers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6311 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform version 7 that exposes internal network infrastructure details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP request processing mechanism within the application server, where GET requests inadvertently reveal internal IP addresses through response headers or content. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the server's request handling pipeline, creating a pathway for adversaries to gather sensitive network topology information that should remain internal to the organization's infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application layer where the JBoss EAP server processes incoming HTTP GET requests without proper filtering of internal addressing information. When remote attackers submit specific GET requests to the affected server, the response contains internal IP addresses that are typically masked or hidden within the server's internal network configuration. This exposure occurs due to improper handling of request parameters and response generation, where internal network details are directly embedded into the HTTP response headers or body content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which deals with Information Exposure, and represents a specific instance of how inadequate input validation can lead to unintended information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering, as it provides attackers with crucial network topology data that can be leveraged for subsequent attack phases. Internal IP address exposure enables adversaries to map the internal network structure, identify network segments, and potentially discover other vulnerable systems within the same network space. This information disclosure creates a foundation for advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers can craft more targeted attacks against internal systems, potentially leading to privilege escalation, lateral movement, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, Information Discovery, where adversaries gather information about the system and network environment to plan further attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including patching the JBoss EAP to version 7.0.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input validation and output sanitization. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to internal IP information, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of GET requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their application server configurations to ensure that internal network information is properly masked or removed from HTTP responses, implementing proper security headers and response filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing including security code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar information disclosure flaws in enterprise applications.