CVE-2018-1275 in Converged Application Server - Service Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Spring Framework, versions 5.0 prior to 5.0.5 and versions 4.3 prior to 4.3.16 and older unsupported versions, allow applications to expose STOMP over WebSocket endpoints with a simple, in-memory STOMP broker through the spring-messaging module. A malicious user (or attacker) can craft a message to the broker that can lead to a remote code execution attack. This CVE addresses the partial fix for CVE-2018-1270 in the 4.3.x branch of the Spring Framework.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-1275 affects the Spring Framework's handling of STOMP over WebSocket endpoints, specifically within the spring-messaging module. This issue impacts versions prior to 5.0.5 and 4.3.16, creating a significant security risk for applications that utilize the framework's messaging capabilities. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of messages sent to the STOMP broker, which can be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the framework's message processing pipeline, particularly when applications expose STOMP endpoints using the simple in-memory broker implementation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate sanitization and validation of STOMP messages within the Spring Framework's messaging infrastructure. When applications expose WebSocket endpoints that utilize the simple STOMP broker, incoming messages undergo insufficient validation checks that allow crafted payloads to bypass security controls. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious content that gets processed by the broker, potentially leading to remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of serialized objects within STOMP messages, where the framework deserializes user-provided data without proper security boundaries. This issue is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate messaging functionality of Spring Framework to deliver malicious payloads that can compromise the entire application server.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1275 extends beyond simple exploitation, as it can result in complete system compromise when applications are configured with vulnerable versions of the Spring Framework. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to data breaches, system takeover, or further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects applications that use Spring's WebSocket messaging capabilities, particularly those implementing STOMP endpoints with in-memory brokers, making it a widespread concern across enterprise deployments. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data loss, especially in environments where WebSocket communication is prevalent and security controls are insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1275 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the Spring Framework, specifically versions 5.0.5 or 4.3.16 and later. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems and applications, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. Security teams should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all applications using vulnerable Spring Framework versions and ensure proper configuration of WebSocket endpoints. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict message validation, monitoring for unusual WebSocket traffic patterns, and applying principle of least privilege configurations for STOMP broker access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.