CVE-2016-7050 in Enterprise Linux Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
SerializableProvider in RESTEasy in Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 7, Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node 7, Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 7, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7050 resides within the SerializableProvider component of RESTEasy, a popular Java-based REST framework utilized in various Red Hat Enterprise Linux distributions. This flaw represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability that affects multiple server and workstation configurations, including RHEL Desktop 7, HPC Node 7, Server 7, and Workstation 7. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of serialized objects within the RESTEasy framework's provider mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of deserialization flaws within the SerializableProvider component. When RESTEasy processes incoming requests containing serialized Java objects, the framework fails to adequately validate the serialized content, allowing attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when deserialized, execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This particular vulnerability maps to CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection. The flaw occurs because the framework's deserialization process does not properly sanitize or verify the integrity of serialized objects before processing them, enabling attackers to leverage this weakness for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7050 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to install malware, establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and potentially use compromised systems as launch points for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects systems running RESTEasy in production environments where RESTful web services are exposed to untrusted networks, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle user input or external API communications. Organizations using Red Hat Enterprise Linux distributions in enterprise environments face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. The impact is further amplified by the widespread adoption of RESTEasy across various enterprise applications, potentially affecting numerous organizations simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7050 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest security updates provided by Red Hat. Organizations must implement network segmentation to limit exposure of RESTEasy services to untrusted networks and establish strict input validation policies for all serialized data handling. Additionally, deploying application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious deserialization attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of RESTEasy within their environments and ensure proper configuration of serialization controls. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary deserialization features, implementing proper access controls for REST endpoints, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect anomalous deserialization activities. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for RESTEasy services and regularly audit serialized data handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.