CVE-2017-15709 in ActiveMQ
Summary
by MITRE
When using the OpenWire protocol in ActiveMQ versions 5.14.0 to 5.15.2 it was found that certain system details (such as the OS and kernel version) are exposed as plain text.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15709 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Apache ActiveMQ messaging system that affects versions between 5.14.0 and 5.15.2. This issue specifically manifests when the OpenWire protocol is utilized, which serves as the primary communication mechanism for client-server interactions within the ActiveMQ framework. The flaw stems from the protocol's implementation where system metadata including operating system details and kernel version information are inadvertently transmitted in plaintext format during connection establishment and message processing phases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the OpenWire protocol's connection handshake process where ActiveMQ servers expose detailed system information to connecting clients without proper sanitization or encryption. This plaintext exposure allows attackers to gather sensitive operational intelligence about the underlying infrastructure, including exact OS versions, kernel releases, and potentially other system characteristics that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as it involves the exposure of information that could aid attackers in identifying system weaknesses and planning targeted exploitation strategies.
From an operational impact perspective, this information disclosure creates significant risk for organizations using ActiveMQ in production environments. Attackers can use the exposed system details to identify specific vulnerabilities associated with particular OS versions and kernel releases, potentially enabling them to craft targeted exploits or bypass security controls. The exposure of such information violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as it provides attackers with intelligence that should remain confidential. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 (System Information Discovery) and T1018 (Remote System Discovery) as it facilitates reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require more complex enumeration techniques.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to ActiveMQ version 5.15.3 or later where the information disclosure has been addressed through proper sanitization of system metadata in OpenWire protocol communications. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ActiveMQ endpoints, particularly in environments where untrusted clients may connect. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual connection patterns or attempts to gather system information through protocol interactions. The fix implemented in the patched versions ensures that system metadata is properly sanitized before transmission, eliminating the plaintext exposure of OS and kernel version information while maintaining the functionality of the OpenWire protocol for legitimate communication purposes.