CVE-2016-6501 in Artifactory
Summary
by MITRE
JFrog Artifactory before 4.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an LDAP attribute with a crafted serialized Java object, aka LDAP entry poisoning.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6501 affects JFrog Artifactory versions prior to 4.11, presenting a critical security risk that enables remote code execution through LDAP attribute manipulation. This flaw resides in the application's handling of LDAP attributes during user authentication processes, specifically when processing serialized Java objects within LDAP entries. The vulnerability exploits a design weakness in how Artifactory processes LDAP data, allowing attackers to inject malicious serialized objects that can be executed upon deserialization. The attack vector requires an attacker to have access to an LDAP server or to manipulate LDAP entries that Artifactory will process during authentication. This represents a classic deserialization vulnerability where untrusted data is processed without proper validation, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the Java serialization mechanism, which is commonly used in enterprise applications for object persistence and communication. When Artifactory processes LDAP attributes containing serialized Java objects, it fails to validate or sanitize the input properly before attempting deserialization. This creates a path where an attacker can craft an LDAP entry with malicious serialized data that, when processed by the Artifactory application, results in code execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the deserialization process within the LDAP integration, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during normal authentication flows without requiring special privileges or direct system access. The attack requires the attacker to control or influence LDAP entries that Artifactory will process, typically through manipulation of an LDAP server or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that allow LDAP entry modification.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6501 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing full system compromise and persistent access to the affected Artifactory instance. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Artifactory service account, which could lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on LDAP authentication for their Artifactory deployments, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Artifactory serves as a central artifact repository. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system, and the impact extends beyond just the Artifactory instance itself, potentially affecting the entire infrastructure that depends on the repository for software artifacts and dependencies. Organizations using Artifactory in production environments face significant risk of supply chain attacks and credential compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain access to sensitive artifacts and build processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6501 focus primarily on immediate patching of the affected Artifactory versions to 4.11 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization of LDAP attributes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Artifactory instances to untrusted LDAP servers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious LDAP entry modifications and unusual authentication patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes deserialization of untrusted data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary LDAP integration features, implementing strict LDAP server access controls, and conducting regular security audits of authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent execution of malicious serialized objects. The remediation process requires careful testing of LDAP configurations to ensure that patching does not disrupt legitimate authentication workflows while effectively addressing the deserialization vulnerability.