CVE-2017-9363 in IAM Console
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted Java serialization in Soffid IAM console before 1.7.5 allows remote attackers to achieve arbitrary remote code execution via a crafted authentication request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9363 represents a critical security flaw in the Soffid Identity and Access Management console software. This issue stems from the improper handling of Java serialization processes within the authentication framework, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.7.5 of the Soffid IAM console, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this identity management solution for their security infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization of untrusted data within the Java application stack. When the Soffid console processes authentication requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the serialized Java objects received from remote clients. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed by the vulnerable application, trigger unintended code execution. The flaw operates at the core of the application's authentication mechanism, where serialized data is expected to contain legitimate user credentials or session information but can instead contain malicious payloads designed to exploit the Java deserialization process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using Soffid IAM console, as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication credentials. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond simple system compromise, as the compromised console could serve as a gateway for attackers to access other systems within the organization's infrastructure that rely on Soffid for identity management. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses unsafe deserialization of untrusted data, and demonstrates the dangerous consequences when serialization mechanisms are not properly secured.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only a remote connection to the Soffid console and the ability to craft a malicious authentication request. The exploit process typically involves creating a serialized Java object containing malicious code that, when deserialized by the vulnerable application, executes arbitrary commands on the target system. This attack model follows patterns commonly associated with the attack technique T1059.007 from the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which covers the execution of code through serialized objects and deserialization vulnerabilities. Organizations may not immediately detect such attacks as they often appear as legitimate authentication requests, making the vulnerability particularly stealthy and dangerous.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Soffid IAM console version 1.7.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and secure deserialization practices. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the console, monitoring authentication requests for suspicious patterns, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices, particularly around serialization handling, and implementing proper input validation at all levels of application processing. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their identity management infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses in other systems that may be vulnerable to the same class of attack.