CVE-2018-1295 in Ignite
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Ignite 2.3 or earlier, the serialization mechanism does not have a list of classes allowed for serialization/deserialization, which makes it possible to run arbitrary code when 3-rd party vulnerable classes are present in Ignite classpath. The vulnerability can be exploited if the one sends a specially prepared form of a serialized object to one of the deserialization endpoints of some Ignite components - discovery SPI, Ignite persistence, Memcached endpoint, socket steamer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
Apache Ignite version 2.3 and earlier contains a critical deserialization vulnerability that stems from the absence of a class whitelist mechanism within its serialization framework. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging vulnerable third-party classes present in the Ignite classpath during deserialization operations. The vulnerability specifically affects multiple Ignite components including discovery SPI, Ignite persistence, Memcached endpoint, and socket steamer endpoints where serialized objects are processed. The root cause of this issue can be categorized under CWE-502 which defines insecure deserialization as a common weakness in software applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious serialized objects that, when processed by Ignite's deserialization endpoints, trigger code execution on the target system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely through any of the affected endpoints that accept serialized data. The lack of a proper class whitelist means that the deserialization process will attempt to load and execute any class present in the classpath, including potentially malicious ones that may be included through third-party dependencies. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which describes the execution of malicious code through deserialization attacks. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows for complete system compromise, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to the affected systems. Organizations running Apache Ignite versions 2.3 or earlier are at significant risk, particularly those with third-party libraries that may contain vulnerable classes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Ignite components are exposed to untrusted networks or where third-party libraries are not properly vetted for security implications. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker sending a malicious serialized object to any of the vulnerable endpoints, which then processes this object through the insecure deserialization mechanism, resulting in arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper serialization security controls, including class whitelisting, input validation, and secure coding practices to prevent deserialization attacks. The absence of such controls in Apache Ignite 2.3 and earlier versions creates a significant attack surface that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring advanced privileges or specialized knowledge of the system architecture. Security teams should prioritize upgrading to Apache Ignite versions that address this vulnerability and implement additional network segmentation measures to limit exposure of vulnerable endpoints. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive dependency management and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in third-party components that may be integrated into enterprise applications. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual deserialization patterns or network traffic anomalies.