CVE-2019-0231 in MINA
Summary
by MITRE
Handling of the close_notify SSL/TLS message does not lead to a connection closure, leading the server to retain the socket opened and to have the client potentially receive clear text messages afterward. Mitigation: 2.0.20 users should migrate to 2.0.21, 2.1.0 users should migrate to 2.1.1. This issue affects: Apache MINA.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-0231 represents a critical flaw in the Apache MINA library's handling of SSL/TLS protocol close notifications. This issue specifically targets the secure communication mechanisms that govern how encrypted connections terminate between clients and servers. The flaw occurs during the TLS shutdown process when the server fails to properly close the underlying socket connection even after receiving a close_notify message from the client. This improper handling creates a persistent connection state that violates fundamental SSL/TLS protocol specifications and exposes systems to potential security risks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate implementation of the TLS protocol's connection termination sequence within Apache MINA's SSL/TLS handling code. When a client sends a close_notify message to indicate its intention to close the connection, the server should immediately terminate the associated socket connection and release all associated resources. However, in affected versions of Apache MINA, the system fails to execute this critical cleanup procedure, leaving the socket in an open state. This behavior creates a scenario where the server continues to maintain the connection channel, potentially allowing subsequent data transmission through the same socket. The vulnerability specifically affects Apache MINA versions 2.0.20 and 2.1.0, with recommended upgrades to versions 2.0.21 and 2.1.1 respectively.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource leakage and presents significant security implications for systems relying on Apache MINA for secure communications. When a connection remains open after a close_notify message is received, it creates a window of opportunity for potential attackers to exploit the persistent socket state. The most concerning aspect of this vulnerability is that it could allow clients to receive clear text messages after the intended connection termination, effectively bypassing encryption protections that should have been in place. This scenario violates the core principle of TLS security where encrypted communication channels should be completely severed upon connection closure. The vulnerability creates a state where the server maintains the connection in a partially closed state, potentially allowing unauthorized data access or injection attacks through the lingering socket channel.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper access to memory, and falls under the broader category of protocol implementation flaws that compromise security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue relates to T1071.004 for application layer protocols and T1566 for credential access through network protocols. The improper handling of TLS close notifications creates a persistent communication channel that could be exploited for information disclosure or man-in-the-middle attacks. Organizations using Apache MINA in production environments should prioritize immediate mitigation through the recommended version upgrades to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper protocol implementation in security-critical libraries, as even minor deviations from established standards can create significant security weaknesses. System administrators should conduct thorough assessments of their Apache MINA implementations and ensure all affected systems are updated to prevent potential exploitation of this connection state management flaw.