CVE-2017-12633 in Camel
Summary
by MITRE
The camel-hessian component in Apache Camel 2.x before 2.19.4 and 2.20.x before 2.20.1 is vulnerable to Java object de-serialisation vulnerability. De-serializing untrusted data can lead to security flaws.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12633 affects the camel-hessian component within Apache Camel framework, specifically impacting versions prior to 2.19.4 and 2.20.1. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the Java serialization mechanism that forms the foundation of many enterprise integration patterns. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of serialized data during the deserialization process, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The camel-hessian component serves as a bridge for serializing and deserializing data between different systems using the Hessian protocol, making it a crucial element in distributed application architectures. Organizations relying on Apache Camel for integration services face significant risk when operating vulnerable versions, as the flaw could be leveraged to compromise entire application ecosystems.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of serialized Java objects within the camel-hessian implementation, where the system fails to validate the integrity and source of deserialized data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a common weakness in software systems that allows attackers to manipulate serialized objects during the deserialization process. When untrusted data is processed through the vulnerable deserialization mechanism, it can trigger the execution of malicious code within the context of the running application. The attack typically involves crafting specially crafted serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable component, cause unintended behavior including remote code execution, data manipulation, or system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where integration components often process data from multiple sources without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12633 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches within affected organizations. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core serialization capabilities of Apache Camel, which means that any application utilizing the camel-hessian component for data exchange could be at risk. In enterprise environments where Camel is used for integration between different systems, the attack surface becomes significantly larger as multiple applications and services may be vulnerable. The impact is further amplified by the fact that deserialization vulnerabilities are often difficult to detect and mitigate, as they can be triggered by seemingly benign data processing operations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Apache Camel versions 2.19.4 or 2.20.1 and later, which contain patches addressing the deserialization vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used in conjunction with other attack vectors. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected component within their infrastructure and implement additional protective measures such as input validation and data sanitization. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique "Exploitation for Client Execution," which emphasizes the importance of protecting against deserialization attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and runtime protection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution, while maintaining strict access controls and regular security audits to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.