CVE-2018-19362 in MICROS Retail XBRi Loss Prevention
Summary
by MITRE
FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x before 2.9.8 might allow attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging failure to block the jboss-common-core class from polymorphic deserialization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19362 affects the FasterXML jackson-databind library version 2.x prior to 2.9.8, representing a critical security flaw in Java application serialization frameworks. This issue specifically targets the library's handling of polymorphic deserialization processes, which are essential for converting JSON data into Java objects. The vulnerability stems from the library's insufficient filtering mechanisms that fail to properly block the jboss-common-core class during deserialization operations, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw resides in the library's polymorphic deserialization mechanism, which is designed to handle complex object graphs during JSON parsing. When jackson-databind processes serialized data, it attempts to determine the appropriate Java class to instantiate based on type information present in the JSON payload. The vulnerability occurs because the library does not adequately restrict access to certain classes within the jboss-common-core package, which contains classes that can be leveraged for remote code execution. This failure to properly enforce class filtering creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the deserialization process and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and potentially devastating for affected systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious JSON payloads that include references to the jboss-common-core classes, enabling them to bypass security restrictions and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical weakness in software security. The attack surface is particularly concerning because jackson-databind is widely used across enterprise applications, web services, and cloud deployments, making numerous systems potentially vulnerable to exploitation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is typically through network-based exploitation where malicious JSON data is submitted to applications that utilize jackson-databind for processing user input or external data sources. According to ATT&CK framework category T1210, this vulnerability could be exploited through "Exploitation of Remote Services" as attackers leverage the deserialization flaw to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability also maps to T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands on the target system. Organizations using affected versions of jackson-databind should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 2.9.8 or later, implementing strict class validation policies, and configuring application firewalls to block potentially malicious deserialization attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19362 should include immediate patching of the jackson-databind library to version 2.9.8 or higher, which contains the necessary fixes to properly block the jboss-common-core class during deserialization. Additionally, organizations should implement comprehensive security configurations that restrict deserialization of untrusted data by configuring the ObjectMapper to use a whitelist of allowed classes or by disabling polymorphic deserialization entirely when not required. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections through firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious deserialization patterns. The remediation process must be thorough and include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining robust security posture against similar vulnerabilities in the future.