CVE-2017-12149 in Enterprise Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
In Jboss Application Server as shipped with RedHat Enterprise Application Platform 5.2, it was found that the doFilter method in the ReadOnlyAccessFilter of the HTTP Invoker does not restrict classes for which it performs deserialization and thus allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code via crafted serialized data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12149 represents a critical deserialization flaw within the JBoss Application Server version 5.2 as distributed with RedHat Enterprise Application Platform 5.2. This vulnerability resides in the ReadOnlyAccessFilter component of the HTTP Invoker functionality, which serves as a mechanism for remote method invocation over HTTP protocols. The flaw manifests in the doFilter method where improper validation occurs during the deserialization process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted serialized data payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper class restrictions within the deserialization pipeline. When the ReadOnlyAccessFilter processes incoming HTTP requests containing serialized objects, it fails to validate or restrict the types of classes that can be deserialized. This oversight allows attackers to craft serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable application server, can trigger arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP Invoker component which is designed to enable remote access to bean services but becomes a vector for remote code execution due to the insecure deserialization mechanism.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing the affected JBoss Application Server versions. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise to include complete system compromise, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the application server process. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, system takeover, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated attacks and exploitation frameworks.
The security implications of CVE-2017-12149 align with common weaknesses described in CWE-502, which focuses on deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security flaw. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution through Java deserialization attacks. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected servers, deploying application firewalls to monitor and filter deserialization traffic, and applying the vendor-provided patches immediately. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components and ensure that all applications implementing deserialization mechanisms properly validate and restrict the classes that can be deserialized during runtime operations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch application from RedHat, which addresses the core deserialization vulnerability by implementing proper class restrictions within the ReadOnlyAccessFilter. Network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to HTTP Invoker endpoints and monitoring for unusual deserialization patterns should be implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components that may be susceptible to similar deserialization attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices around deserialization and the necessity of validating all input data, particularly when dealing with serialized objects that can be manipulated by remote attackers.