Critical Vulnerability in libcommons-collections3-java: Remote Code Execution Risk
Summary
USN-6936-1: libcommons-collections3-java vulnerability. Affects libcommons-collections3-java versions < 3.2.1-6ubuntu0.1~esm1. Fixed in 3.2.1-6ubuntu0.1~esm1. How to fix ↓
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Background
libcommons-collections3-java is a Java library that provides a set of utility classes for working with Java collections. It is widely used in various applications to enhance the functionality of Java's collection framework. The library is known for its ease of use and flexibility, but it has been found to have a significant security vulnerability that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2015-4852, was discovered in Apache Commons Collections, which allowed serialization support for unsafe classes by default. This flaw could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The issue arises from the library's handling of serialized objects, which can be manipulated to execute malicious code when deserialized. This poses a serious risk, especially in environments where untrusted data is processed.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.2.1-6ubuntu0.1~esm1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libcommons-collections3-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can disable the serialization support for unsafe classes in your application. However, this is not a complete solution and should only be considered until the package can be updated.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in libcommons-collections3-java poses a significant risk due to its potential for remote code execution. It is essential to update to the patched version to safeguard your applications. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
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FAQ
CVE-2015-4852 is a vulnerability in Apache Commons Collections that allows remote code execution due to unsafe serialization support.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Not fixing this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on your system, potentially leading to data breaches or system compromise.
While the best solution is to update the package, you can temporarily disable unsafe serialization support in your application as a workaround.
More information can be found in the Ubuntu Security Notices at https://github.com/canonical/ubuntu-security-notices/blob/main/osv/usn/USN-6936-1.json.
References
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