CVE-2019-3805 in WildFly
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was discovered in wildfly versions up to 16.0.0.Final that would allow local users who are able to execute init.d script to terminate arbitrary processes on the system. An attacker could exploit this by modifying the PID file in /var/run/jboss-eap/ allowing the init.d script to terminate any process as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3805 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform versions up to 16.0.0.Final. This issue stems from improper handling of process identification files during system initialization, creating a dangerous attack vector for local adversaries who possess the ability to execute init.d scripts. The flaw specifically targets the management of PID files in the /var/run/jboss-eap/ directory structure, where process identifiers are stored to facilitate system process control. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker manipulates these PID files to redirect process termination commands to arbitrary system processes rather than the intended application processes.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a classic race condition and privilege escalation mechanism. The init.d script responsible for managing the JBoss application server process execution relies on reading PID files to determine which processes to terminate during shutdown operations. When local users can modify these PID files, they effectively gain the ability to manipulate the target processes that the shutdown script will attempt to terminate. This creates a scenario where legitimate administrative shutdown procedures can be subverted to target any process running with appropriate privileges, including critical system services. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-276 (Incorrect Default Permissions), as it involves both improper privilege handling and insecure default file permissions that enable unauthorized process manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3805 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating a potential pathway for system compromise and service disruption. An attacker who can execute init.d scripts and modify PID files can effectively terminate any process on the system, potentially targeting critical services such as network daemons, database processes, or security monitoring tools. This capability allows for both denial of service attacks and more sophisticated compromise scenarios where the attacker can disable security controls or system services. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, typically only local access and the ability to execute system initialization scripts, making it accessible to attackers who have gained basic system access through other means. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1489 (Service Stop), demonstrating how local access can be leveraged to escalate privileges and disrupt system operations.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3805 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term system hardening measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to JBoss Enterprise Application Platform versions 16.0.1.Final or later, where the PID file handling has been corrected to prevent unauthorized modifications. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls on the /var/run/jboss-eap/ directory structure, ensuring that only authorized processes can modify PID files. Additionally, implementing proper process monitoring and integrity checking mechanisms can help detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege separation and the principle of least privilege in system design, as the init.d script should not have the capability to terminate arbitrary processes without proper validation and authorization checks. Organizations should also consider implementing process monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar privilege escalation vectors.