CVE-2017-15095 in Communications Diameter Signaling Router
Summary
by MITRE
A deserialization flaw was discovered in the jackson-databind in versions before 2.8.10 and 2.9.1, which could allow an unauthenticated user to perform code execution by sending the maliciously crafted input to the readValue method of the ObjectMapper. This issue extends the previous flaw CVE-2017-7525 by blacklisting more classes that could be used maliciously.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15095 represents a critical deserialization flaw in the Jackson data-binding library that affects versions prior to 2.8.10 and 2.9.1. This vulnerability resides in the ObjectMapper's readValue method and enables remote code execution when processing maliciously crafted input from unauthenticated users. The flaw demonstrates the ongoing challenges organizations face with deserialization security issues, particularly when dealing with widely-used libraries that handle data parsing and object mapping across different programming environments. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the library's ability to deserialize arbitrary Java objects from serialized data streams, creating opportunities for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the jackson-databind library's deserialization process. When the ObjectMapper processes serialized data through the readValue method, it attempts to reconstruct Java objects from the serialized format without adequate restrictions on which classes can be instantiated. Attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed, trigger the instantiation of dangerous classes from the Java runtime environment. This flaw extends CVE-2017-7525 by expanding the blacklist of dangerous classes that could be exploited, demonstrating how security researchers continuously identify new attack vectors as they discover additional dangerous classes that can be leveraged for remote code execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it a prime example of how improper deserialization can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15095 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without requiring authentication. This vulnerability can be exploited through web applications, APIs, or any system that accepts serialized input from untrusted sources and processes it through Jackson's ObjectMapper. The attack surface is extensive given Jackson's widespread adoption across enterprise applications, web services, and microservices architectures. Organizations running affected versions face potential complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms that attackers can establish through the executed code. The vulnerability's exploitation can occur through various attack vectors including HTTP requests, file uploads, or any interface that processes serialized data, making it particularly dangerous in environments where input validation is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15095 require immediate patching of affected jackson-databind versions to 2.8.10 or 2.9.1 and higher. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent deserialization of untrusted data, particularly when using libraries like Jackson that handle object mapping. The implementation of custom deserialization guards and the restriction of deserialization to trusted sources should be enforced through proper security configurations. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level restrictions and monitoring for suspicious deserialization patterns. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, as the exploitation leads to code execution capabilities. Organizations must also conduct thorough security assessments of their applications to identify all potential deserialization attack surfaces and implement proper security controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.