Remote code execution in Apache Cassandra

1) Improper input validation

EUVDB-ID: #VU13826

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2018-8016

CWE-ID: CWE-20 - Improper input validation

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary Java code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper binding of an unauthenticated Java Management Extensions (JMX)/Remote Method Invocation (RMI) interface to all network interfaces. A remote unauthenticated attacker can access the JMX/RMI interface via Java APIs, load a specially crafted file that submits malicious input and execute arbitrary Java code on the system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Update to version 3.11.2 or 4.0.

Vulnerable software versions

Cassandra: 3.6 - 3.11.1

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:apache_foundation:cassandra:3.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache_foundation:cassandra:3.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache_foundation:cassandra:3.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache_foundation:cassandra:3.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:apache_foundation:cassandra:3.11.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/CASSANDRA-14173.

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to send a specially crafted request to the affected application in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.