CVE-2021-35464 is a critical Java deserialization vulnerability affecting the ForgeRock AM server versions prior to 7.0. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server without requiring authentication. The flaw is present in the jato.pageSession parameter across multiple pages, and a single crafted request to the /ccversion/* endpoints can trigger remote code execution. With a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to organizations utilizing affected versions of ForgeRock software.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, the potential impact is significant. Attackers may leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access and control over the affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches and service disruptions. Organizations must understand the urgency of addressing this vulnerability, especially since it does not require authentication to exploit.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately, as the exploitation of this vulnerability can have serious consequences. The vulnerability was published on July 22, 2021, and is included in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, highlighting its active exploitation in the wild.
The critical nature of this vulnerability necessitates swift action to mitigate risks. Organizations must review their systems for affected versions of ForgeRock and apply the necessary updates as recommended by the vendor.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from a Java deserialization issue within the ForgeRock AM server, specifically in the jato.pageSession parameter. Exploiting this vulnerability allows attackers to execute code remotely without authentication. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502, which pertains to deserialization of untrusted data.
The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level, with an attack vector of NETWORK and low attack complexity. No privileges or user interaction are required to exploit this vulnerability. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper handling of serialized data in the ForgeRock AM server, which is based on the Sun ONE Application Framework (JATO). This framework's usage in versions of Java 8 or earlier leads to vulnerabilities that can be exploited over a network.
The attack complexity is low, as it does not require any special conditions or user interaction. Attackers can send specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoints, leading to the execution of arbitrary code within the application context. The code execution could potentially be performed as the user under which the ForgeRock AM server is running.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to total compromise of affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment of ForgeRock AM poses significant risks due to this vulnerability. Organizations using the affected versions are left vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could allow attackers to gain control over the server and access sensitive data.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is extensive, especially in enterprise environments where ForgeRock AM is used for identity and access management. In light of this vulnerability's status in the CISA KEV catalog, organizations should treat it as a priority in their patching cycles.
Given the critical CVSS score and the existence of known exploitation, organizations must act quickly to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include ForgeRock AM server before 7.0 and OpenAM versions from 9.0.0 to 14.6.3. Organizations should verify their installations against the specified version criteria to ensure they take necessary remediation actions.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability. If patching is not immediately possible, alternative measures such as network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure.
For further guidance, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to ensure their systems are secure and resilient against such vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual HTTP traffic patterns directed at the /ccversion/* endpoints can help in early detection of attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also review logs for any unauthorized access attempts and anomalous behaviors indicative of exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2021-35464 highlights the ongoing challenge of securing applications that rely on Java deserialization. As attackers continue to exploit such vulnerabilities, it is imperative for security teams to remain vigilant and proactive in their defense strategies.
Organizations should implement secure coding practices and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in their applications. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping software components up to date and applying security patches promptly.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, engaging in application security assessments can provide invaluable insights and help mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-35464.
In addition, organizations should consider adopting red teaming services to simulate real-world attack scenarios and identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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