CVE-2016-8653 in JBoss Fuse
Summary
by MITRE
It was found that the JMX endpoint of Red Hat JBoss Fuse 6, and Red Hat A-MQ 6 deserializes the credentials passed to it. An attacker could use this flaw to launch a denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8653 resides within the Java Management Extensions JMX endpoint of Red Hat JBoss Fuse 6 and Red Hat A-MQ 6 messaging platforms. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized individuals to exploit the system's deserialization mechanism when processing credentials. The JMX endpoint serves as a management interface for monitoring and controlling Java applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise system integrity. When the system receives credential data through this endpoint, it automatically attempts to deserialize the information without proper validation, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the JMX deserialization process. When authentication credentials are transmitted to the endpoint, the system performs automatic deserialization without adequate security checks or sanitization measures. This behavior aligns with CWE-502, which classifies deserialization of untrusted data as a dangerous practice that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The flaw specifically manifests when the JMX endpoint processes serialized objects containing malicious payloads, allowing attackers to inject crafted data that can manipulate the system's normal operation. This deserialization vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to the managed applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8653 extends beyond simple credential validation failures, as it enables attackers to launch effective denial of service attacks against the targeted systems. By crafting malicious serialized data that exploits the deserialization flaw, adversaries can cause the JMX endpoint to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the management interface unusable. This disruption can cascade into broader system availability issues, particularly in enterprise environments where JMX endpoints serve as critical monitoring and management interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the JMX endpoint, and the resulting denial of service can significantly impact business operations and system reliability.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8653 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the JMX endpoint configuration. Organizations should disable unnecessary JMX endpoints or restrict access to them through network firewalls and access control lists. The implementation of secure deserialization practices, including the use of whitelisting mechanisms or alternative serialization formats, can prevent the execution of malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from Red Hat should be applied immediately to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of JMX endpoint traffic can help detect anomalous activity that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious deserialization patterns, providing an additional layer of defense against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.