CVE-2017-15708 in Financial Services Market Risk Measurement
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Synapse, by default no authentication is required for Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI). So Apache Synapse 3.0.1 or all previous releases (3.0.0, 2.1.0, 2.0.0, 1.2, 1.1.2, 1.1.1) allows remote code execution attacks that can be performed by injecting specially crafted serialized objects. And the presence of Apache Commons Collections 3.2.1 (commons-collections-3.2.1.jar) or previous versions in Synapse distribution makes this exploitable. To mitigate the issue, we need to limit RMI access to trusted users only. Further upgrading to 3.0.1 version will eliminate the risk of having said Commons Collection version. In Synapse 3.0.1, Commons Collection has been updated to 3.2.2 version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2020
Apache Synapse version 3.0.1 and earlier releases contain a critical remote code execution vulnerability due to insufficient authentication controls for Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI) services. This vulnerability stems from the default configuration that allows unrestricted RMI access without proper authentication mechanisms, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can inject specially crafted serialized objects into the system. The flaw specifically affects all versions including 3.0.0, 2.1.0, 2.0.0, 1.2, 1.1.2, and 1.1.1, making it a widespread issue across the product lineage. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the presence of Apache Commons Collections 3.2.1 or earlier versions within the Synapse distribution, which provides the necessary gadgets for exploitation through deserialization attacks. This configuration allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the Synapse process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes deserialization of untrusted data as a critical security weakness. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe risk to organizations using Apache Synapse, as it enables attackers to bypass authentication controls entirely and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication credentials, and the exploitation can be performed remotely over the network. The presence of Commons Collections 3.2.1 creates a specific exploitation pathway that leverages the deserialization gadget chain, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to attackers. Organizations running affected versions face significant exposure to remote code execution attacks that could result in data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of remote code execution through deserialization vulnerabilities. The recommended mitigation strategy involves restricting RMI access to trusted users only, which can be implemented through network access controls, firewall rules, and proper authentication mechanisms. However, the most effective long-term solution requires upgrading to Apache Synapse version 3.0.1, which addresses the issue by updating the Commons Collections library to version 3.2.2. This version update eliminates the vulnerable deserialization gadgets that were present in the earlier versions, thereby removing the attack surface that made the system exploitable. The upgrade process should be carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption to existing services while providing the necessary security improvements. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other instances of the vulnerable Commons Collections version within their infrastructure and remediate them accordingly. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and implementing proper access controls for remote services, as the combination of weak authentication and vulnerable deserialization libraries creates a dangerous security exposure that can be exploited by threat actors without any prior access credentials.