CVE-2017-3626 in GlassFish Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the Oracle GlassFish Server component of Oracle Fusion Middleware (subcomponent: Java Server Faces). The supported version that is affected is 3.1.2. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise Oracle GlassFish Server. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of Oracle GlassFish Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.1 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3626 resides within Oracle GlassFish Server's Java Server Faces component, specifically affecting version 3.1.2 of the Fusion Middleware suite. This represents a significant security weakness in enterprise web application infrastructure that serves as a foundation for many business-critical applications. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions to be met, the attack surface remains concerning given GlassFish's role in hosting enterprise applications. The CVSS 3.0 score of 3.1 reflects the relatively low severity but significant confidentiality impact that could affect sensitive data within the server environment.
The technical flaw manifests as an information disclosure vulnerability that operates through multiple network protocols, making it accessible to unauthenticated attackers who can reach the target system. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the CWE-200 category, which encompasses information exposure issues that allow unauthorized parties to access sensitive data. The attack requires human interaction from users other than the attacker, suggesting that social engineering or user manipulation may be necessary to trigger the vulnerability successfully. This requirement limits the automated exploitation potential but does not eliminate the threat, as social engineering attacks can be highly effective in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can compromise a subset of accessible data within the GlassFish Server environment. This partial data exposure could potentially reveal sensitive information such as user credentials, application data, or system configurations that could serve as building blocks for more sophisticated attacks. The confidentiality impact rating of CVSS 3.0 indicates that while the immediate damage may be limited to read access, the potential for escalation remains significant. Attackers could use this initial access to gather intelligence about the target environment, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to GlassFish Server instances, ensuring that only necessary systems can reach the vulnerable components. Regular patching and updating of Oracle Fusion Middleware installations remains critical, as this vulnerability affects a specific version that likely received updates in subsequent releases. The use of intrusion detection systems and network monitoring can help identify potential exploitation attempts, particularly those involving multiple protocols that could indicate this specific vulnerability being targeted. Additionally, implementing strong access controls and user authentication measures can reduce the impact of any successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires human interaction to trigger. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a target for both information gathering and potential lateral movement activities.