CVE-2019-12418 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
When Apache Tomcat 9.0.0.M1 to 9.0.28, 8.5.0 to 8.5.47, 7.0.0 and 7.0.97 is configured with the JMX Remote Lifecycle Listener, a local attacker without access to the Tomcat process or configuration files is able to manipulate the RMI registry to perform a man-in-the-middle attack to capture user names and passwords used to access the JMX interface. The attacker can then use these credentials to access the JMX interface and gain complete control over the Tomcat instance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12418 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Tomcat versions ranging from 9.0.0.M1 through 9.0.28, 8.5.0 through 8.5.47, and 7.0.0 through 7.0.97. This issue specifically affects configurations that utilize the JMX Remote Lifecycle Listener feature, which enables remote management capabilities for Tomcat instances. The vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the RMI registry handling mechanism, creating an exploitable path for local attackers who lack direct access to the Tomcat process or its configuration files. This flaw fundamentally compromises the authentication and authorization mechanisms that protect JMX interfaces, which are critical management endpoints for monitoring and controlling Tomcat server operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the RMI registry that Tomcat uses to facilitate remote management connections. When the JMX Remote Lifecycle Listener is enabled, the system establishes RMI connections to expose management interfaces, but the registry configuration does not properly validate or secure these connections against local manipulation. Attackers can exploit this by intercepting and modifying the RMI registry entries to redirect connections through a malicious intermediary, effectively performing a man-in-the-middle attack. This attack vector specifically targets the authentication credentials exchanged during JMX interface access, allowing unauthorized parties to capture usernames and passwords that would normally be protected by proper authentication mechanisms. The flaw exists at the protocol level where the RMI communication channel lacks sufficient cryptographic protections and integrity checks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12418 is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected organizations. Once an attacker successfully captures JMX credentials, they gain complete administrative control over the compromised Tomcat instance, enabling them to perform any action permitted by the JMX interface. This includes accessing sensitive application data, modifying server configurations, deploying malicious applications, and potentially escalating privileges to access underlying system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal access privileges from the attacker's perspective, as they only need local access to manipulate the RMI registry rather than compromising the entire system. Organizations running vulnerable Tomcat versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, as JMX interfaces often provide access to critical server management functions that can be leveraged for further attacks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Apache Tomcat where available, disabling the JMX Remote Lifecycle Listener feature when not actively required, and implementing network segmentation controls to limit local access to Tomcat instances. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310 and CWE-312 categories related to cryptographic weaknesses and sensitive data exposure, respectively, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances running affected Tomcat versions and implement additional monitoring for unusual JMX activity patterns. Network-level controls such as firewall rules restricting RMI registry access and intrusion detection systems configured to detect RMI protocol anomalies can provide additional protective layers against exploitation attempts.