CVE-2022-37023 in Geode
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2022
Apache Geode versions prior to 1.15.0 are vulnerable to a deserialization of untrusted data flaw when using REST API on Java 8 or Java 11. Any user wishing to protect against deserialization attacks involving REST APIs should upgrade to Apache Geode 1.15 and follow the documentation for details on enabling "validate-serializable-objects=true" and specifying any user classes that may be serialized/deserialized with "serializable-object-filter". Enabling "validate-serializable-objects" may impact performance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37023 represents a critical deserialization flaw within Apache Geode's REST API implementation affecting versions prior to 1.15.0. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the system operates on Java 8 or Java 11 runtime environments, creating an attack surface where untrusted data can be deserialized without proper validation mechanisms. The flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents. The REST API interface serves as the primary vector for exploitation, allowing remote attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that can be processed by the vulnerable Apache Geode instance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the deserialization process within the REST API layer. When Apache Geode processes incoming requests through its REST interface, it accepts serialized Java objects without proper sanitization or validation of their contents. This allows attackers to inject malicious serialized data that, when deserialized, can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the inherent trust placed in the serialization mechanism, where legitimate user data is treated as safe for deserialization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially crafted serialized objects that contain malicious payloads, potentially leading to remote code execution, data compromise, or system takeover. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when the system uses Java 8 or Java 11 environments, as these runtime versions have specific deserialization behaviors that make them particularly susceptible to such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Organizations relying on Apache Geode for their caching and data management needs face significant risk when operating vulnerable versions, as the attack surface includes any system that exposes the REST API interface. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems with exposed network interfaces. The potential consequences include unauthorized data access, modification of cached data, complete system compromise, and the ability to use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through deserialization attacks, representing a significant threat to enterprise security posture and compliance requirements.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability through multiple defensive measures, with the primary recommendation being the immediate upgrade to Apache Geode version 1.15.0 or later, which includes built-in protections against this specific deserialization flaw. The recommended configuration involves enabling the "validate-serializable-objects=true" parameter, which implements mandatory validation of serialized objects before processing. Additionally, administrators should specify user classes that may be serialized or deserialized using the "serializable-object-filter" configuration, creating a whitelist approach that only permits known safe classes. While these security measures provide robust protection, they introduce performance overhead as the validation process requires additional computational resources. Organizations should carefully evaluate their performance requirements against security needs, as the validation process may impact system throughput, particularly in high-volume environments. The mitigation strategy should also include network segmentation to limit exposure of the REST API interface and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.