CVE-2017-1000034 in Akka
Summary
by MITRE
Akka versions <=2.4.16 and 2.5-M1 are vulnerable to a java deserialization attack in its Remoting component resulting in remote code execution in the context of the ActorSystem.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000034 affects Akka frameworks version 2.4.16 and earlier, as well as version 2.5-M1, presenting a critical security risk through its Remoting component. This flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable Akka versions by exploiting a java deserialization vulnerability. The issue arises within the distributed computing framework's communication layer where remote actors communicate through serialized objects, making it a prime target for remote code execution attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the deserialization process within Akka's remoting functionality. When the system receives serialized data from remote actors, it fails to properly validate the incoming object types before deserializing them. This creates an opportunity for malicious actors to craft specially crafted serialized objects that, when processed, can trigger arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically impacts the ActorSystem's remote communication capabilities, where actors can be created and managed across network boundaries, making the attack surface particularly expansive.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1000034 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations using vulnerable Akka versions. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the ActorSystem process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt services in distributed applications. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where Akka applications are exposed to untrusted networks or external parties.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Akka versions 2.4.17 or 2.5.0 and later to mitigate this vulnerability. The fix addresses the deserialization issue by implementing proper input validation and sanitization of remote communication data. Additional mitigations include network segmentation to limit access to Akka remoting endpoints, implementing firewall rules to restrict communication to trusted sources only, and monitoring for suspicious deserialization patterns in application logs. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms such as java security managers or application whitelisting to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which describes deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a significant concern under the ATT&CK framework's execution tactics where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to run malicious code.