CVE-351684-613340 Critical Vulnerability In Jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar: Analysis And Mitigation

by StackCamp Team 103 views

This article addresses the critical security vulnerability CVE-351684-613340 detected in the jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar library. This vulnerability has significant implications for applications using this library, potentially leading to severe security breaches. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the vulnerability, its impact, and steps to mitigate the risks.

Understanding the Vulnerability

The core issue revolves around a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-351684-613340 within the jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar library. This library, part of the Eclipse Enterprise for Java (EE4J) project, is crucial for Java applications requiring standard APIs for server-side and cloud-native development. The vulnerability’s presence in this widely used library makes it a significant concern for many projects.

Vulnerable Library: jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar

The jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar library is an integral component of the Eclipse Enterprise for Java (EE4J) ecosystem. EE4J aims to provide standard APIs, implementations, and technology compatibility kits for Java runtimes, facilitating the development, deployment, and management of server-side and cloud-native applications. The library's home page is accessible at https://www.eclipse.org.

Location and Context

The vulnerability was identified within the /WebGoat8/pom.xml file, indicating its presence in the WebGoat8 project, a well-known deliberately vulnerable web application used for security training and testing. The path to the vulnerable library is also specified as /WebGoat8/pom.xml, highlighting its direct inclusion in the project's dependencies.

Dependency Hierarchy

The library's position in the dependency hierarchy is crucial for understanding the scope of the vulnerability. In this case, jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar is a sub-dependency of spring-boot-starter-data-jpa-2.6.6.jar, a root library. This means that any application using spring-boot-starter-data-jpa-2.6.6.jar will transitively depend on the vulnerable jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar. This transitive dependency significantly widens the potential impact of the vulnerability.

The dependency chain is as follows:

  • spring-boot-starter-data-jpa-2.6.6.jar (Root Library)
    • jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar (Vulnerable Library)

Commit and Branch Information

The vulnerability was found in the HEAD commit ae6d4677a3d3f5d874967a6cbc96f386bfaa4332 of the repository https://github.com/SAST-UP-DEV/SAST-Test-Repo-21418541-4e45-440f-bc64-84dee305ae74. It was also identified in the base branch, main, indicating that the vulnerability is present in the primary codebase.

Detailed Vulnerability Analysis

Vulnerability Details for CVE-351684-613340

CVE-351684-613340 is a critical vulnerability that was automatically created by the test suite. While the provided details are limited, the severity and CVSS score (discussed below) suggest a significant security flaw. The vulnerability was published on 2010-06-07 and is documented in the Mend vulnerability database.

For more detailed information, refer to the vulnerability database entry: CVE-351684-613340.

CVSS 3 Score Breakdown

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) provides a standardized way to assess the severity of security vulnerabilities. CVE-351684-613340 has a CVSS 3 score of 9.8, indicating a Critical severity level. Understanding the components of this score helps to appreciate the vulnerability's potential impact.

Base Score Metrics

The base score is calculated from several metrics related to exploitability and impact:

Exploitability Metrics:
  • Attack Vector: Network: This means the vulnerability can be exploited over a network, making it remotely exploitable.
  • Attack Complexity: Low: The vulnerability is easy to exploit, requiring minimal effort or expertise from the attacker.
  • Privileges Required: None: No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, meaning any attacker can attempt to exploit it.
  • User Interaction: None: No user interaction is needed to trigger the vulnerability, allowing for automated exploitation.
  • Scope: Unchanged: An exploitation of the vulnerability affects a component managed by the same security authority.
Impact Metrics:
  • Confidentiality Impact: High: The attacker can gain access to sensitive information.
  • Integrity Impact: High: The attacker can modify data or system configurations.
  • Availability Impact: High: The attacker can cause a denial-of-service (DoS) or otherwise disrupt system availability.

The combination of these metrics paints a grim picture: a remotely exploitable vulnerability that requires no privileges or user interaction, and can lead to complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

For a deeper understanding of CVSS 3 scores, refer to the CVSS 3.0 Calculator.

Impact and Risks

The critical severity and high CVSS score associated with CVE-351684-613340 highlight the significant risks posed by this vulnerability. Organizations using jakarta.persistence-api-2.2.3.jar in their applications are at risk of:

  • Data Breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive data due to the high confidentiality impact.
  • Data Manipulation: Modification of critical data, leading to incorrect information and potential financial losses.
  • Service Disruption: Denial-of-service attacks causing system unavailability, impacting business operations.
  • Reputational Damage: Public disclosure of a successful exploit can severely damage an organization's reputation.

The presence of this vulnerability in the WebGoat8 project is particularly concerning as it demonstrates a real-world scenario where such vulnerabilities can exist. The fact that the vulnerability is present in the main branch of the repository suggests that it has not been addressed and poses an ongoing risk.

Mitigation Strategies

Addressing CVE-351684-613340 requires immediate and comprehensive action. The following mitigation strategies are recommended:

  1. Upgrade the Library: The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is to upgrade to a patched version of the jakarta.persistence-api library. Check for newer versions that address this specific CVE. If a patched version is not immediately available, consider alternative libraries or frameworks that provide similar functionality without the vulnerability.

  2. Apply Security Patches: Ensure that all systems and applications using the vulnerable library have the latest security patches installed. This includes the underlying operating system, Java runtime environment, and any other relevant software components.

  3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerability. A WAF can provide an additional layer of defense by filtering out suspicious traffic before it reaches the application.

  4. Code Review and Static Analysis: Conduct a thorough code review of applications using the vulnerable library to identify potential attack vectors. Utilize static analysis tools to automatically detect instances of the vulnerability and other security flaws.

  5. Dependency Management: Implement robust dependency management practices to ensure that all third-party libraries are up-to-date and free from known vulnerabilities. Use tools like OWASP Dependency-Check or Snyk to scan for vulnerabilities in project dependencies.

  6. Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan applications and infrastructure for known vulnerabilities using vulnerability scanners. This will help identify and address potential security issues before they can be exploited.

  7. Monitor for Exploitation Attempts: Implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Monitor network traffic, system logs, and application logs for suspicious activity.

Conclusion

CVE-351684-613340 represents a critical security vulnerability that demands immediate attention. The high CVSS score and potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability make it imperative for organizations to take swift action. By understanding the vulnerability details, assessing the risks, and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies, organizations can protect their applications and data from potential attacks. Regularly updating libraries, applying security patches, and implementing robust security practices are essential steps in maintaining a secure software environment. The use of Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), static analysis tools, and dependency management systems can significantly reduce the risk associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-351684-613340. Continuous monitoring and vulnerability scanning are also crucial for proactive threat detection and response. Remember, securing your applications is an ongoing process that requires constant vigilance and adaptation to new threats. This article serves as a crucial resource for understanding and addressing this vulnerability, but staying informed about the latest security threats and best practices is paramount for ensuring long-term security.