CVE-2019-17564 Scanner

Apache Dubbo is a high-performance, java based, open-source RPC framework. It is widely used by microservices architecture for building high-performance, distributed systems. Large organizations, especially in the financial services sector, utilize Apache Dubbo for its reliability and scalability. It supports multiple load balancing strategies and strong fault tolerance features. Apache Dubbo's popularity is driven by its complex architecture that efficiently manages remote procedure calls. However, with great functionality also comes potential security vulnerabilities that need constant monitoring.

The Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability can lead to critical security issues, such as remote code execution. This vulnerability occurs when arbitrary data can be deserialized with insufficient input validation. Deserialization vulnerabilities are widely exploited because they allow attackers to manipulate serialized data to inject harmful data or execute arbitrary code. In this instance, the flaw affects Apache Dubbo's HTTP remoting function, which fails to check deserialization inputs properly, allowing attackers to fully compromise a Dubbo Provider instance.

The vulnerability in Apache Dubbo manifests when its HTTP remoting feature is enabled without proper verification of deserialized inputs. Attackers can submit specially crafted POST requests containing malicious Java objects. This lack of validation allows the exploitation of Apache Dubbo, leading to potential remote code execution. Signs of exploitation might include exceptions such as java.lang.ClassNotFoundException indicating attempts to deserialize unknown classes. The vulnerability remains exploitable across multiple versions from 2.5.x to 2.7.4, emphasizing the need for immediate remediation.

If uncorrected, exploiting this vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. This can lead to severe data breaches where sensitive information may be exposed. Compromised systems might then serve as launch pads for further attacks within an organization's network. In the worst-case scenario, attackers can gain full control over vulnerable instances, impacting system availability and integrity severely. It is critical to address this vulnerability swiftly to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences.

REFERENCES

• https://advisory.checkmarx.net/advisory/CX-2020-4275
• https://github.com/Hu3sky/CVE-2019-17564
• https://github.com/r00t4dm/CVE-2019-17564
• https://dubbo.apache.org/en/docs3-v2/java-sdk/advanced-features-and-usage/security/