CVE-2018-11779 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Apache Storm UI Java deserialization vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2018-11779

Between versions 1.1.0 and 1.2.2 of Apache Storm, a vulnerability exists in the deserialization of user-provided bytes into a Java class within the Storm UI daemon.

What is CVE-2018-11779?

This CVE refers to a security flaw in Apache Storm versions 1.1.0 to 1.2.2, specifically related to the storm-kafka-client or storm-kafka modules.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11779

The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger the deserialization of user-provided bytes into a Java class within the Storm UI daemon, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11779

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

CWE-502: Deserialization of Untrusted Data
The issue arises when utilizing storm-kafka-client or storm-kafka modules in Apache Storm versions 1.1.0 to 1.2.2.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Storm
Vendor: Apache
Versions: 1.1.0 to 1.2.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious bytes to trigger the deserialization process in the Storm UI daemon.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11779, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache Storm to a non-vulnerable version.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malicious data injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit the Apache Storm environment for unusual activities.
Educate users on secure coding practices to mitigate deserialization vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Apache to fix the vulnerability in affected versions.