CVE-2017-4995: vmware spring_security Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2017-4995 is a high (CVSS 8.1) Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in vmware spring_security. EPSS estimates a 2.55% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 84.7% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 27-11-2017
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 05-08-2024
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

An issue was discovered in Pivotal Spring Security 4.2.0.RELEASE through 4.2.2.RELEASE, and Spring Security 5.0.0.M1. When configured to enable default typing, Jackson contained a deserialization vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution. Jackson fixed this vulnerability by blacklisting known "deserialization gadgets." Spring Security configures Jackson with global default typing enabled, which means that (through the previous exploit) arbitrary code could be executed if all of the following is true: (1) Spring Security's Jackson support is being leveraged by invoking SecurityJackson2Modules.getModules(ClassLoader) or SecurityJackson2Modules.enableDefaultTyping(ObjectMapper); (2) Jackson is used to deserialize data that is not trusted (Spring Security does not perform deserialization using Jackson, so this is an explicit choice of the user); and (3) there is an unknown (Jackson is not blacklisting it already) "deserialization gadget" that allows code execution present on the classpath. Jackson provides a blacklisting approach to protecting against this type of attack, but Spring Security should be proactive against blocking unknown "deserialization gadgets" when Spring Security enables default typing.

• CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted DataThe product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.