CVE-2018-11307 in jackson-databind
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in FasterXML jackson-databind 2.0.0 through 2.9.5. Use of Jackson default typing along with a gadget class from iBatis allows exfiltration of content. Fixed in 2.7.9.4, 2.8.11.2, and 2.9.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11307 represents a critical security flaw within the FasterXML jackson-databind library, affecting versions ranging from 2.0.0 through 2.9.5. This issue specifically targets the library's default typing functionality, which when combined with malicious gadget classes from the iBatis framework creates a dangerous attack vector. The vulnerability stems from the library's permissive deserialization behavior that fails to properly validate or restrict the types of objects that can be instantiated during the deserialization process. The flaw enables attackers to leverage the default typing mechanism to execute arbitrary code or exfiltrate sensitive data from systems that utilize vulnerable jackson-databind versions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the combination of Jackson's default typing feature and specific gadget classes available in the iBatis library. When a malicious payload is processed through the deserialization mechanism, the default typing configuration allows the deserializer to instantiate arbitrary classes without proper validation. This creates a pathway for attackers to construct malicious objects that, when deserialized, trigger unintended behavior. The iBatis gadget classes provide the necessary building blocks for crafting payloads that can execute code or access system resources, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted data is processed through jackson-databind.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11307 extends beyond simple code execution to include data exfiltration capabilities that can compromise entire systems. Organizations utilizing vulnerable jackson-databind versions face significant risks when processing user input, network data, or any external payloads that may contain malicious serialized objects. The vulnerability affects applications across multiple programming languages and platforms that depend on the jackson-databind library for JSON processing, creating widespread exposure. Attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or further lateral movement within affected networks. The default typing configuration in jackson-databind essentially removes the security boundary that should exist between serialized data and the executing application.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigations by upgrading to the fixed versions 2.7.9.4, 2.8.11.2, or 2.9.6, which contain patches addressing the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling default typing in jackson-databind configurations, using custom deserialization schemas, or implementing proper input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes deserialization of untrusted data, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through deserialization attacks. These mitigations help address both the immediate security risk and reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in the future, particularly in applications that process external JSON data or implement serialization-based communication protocols.