CVE-2018-14721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x versions prior to 2.9.7 are vulnerable to SSRF attacks due to a flaw in preventing the axis2-jaxws class from being used in polymorphic deserialization.

Understanding CVE-2018-14721

This CVE involves a vulnerability in FasterXML jackson-databind that could allow remote attackers to exploit SSRF vulnerabilities.

What is CVE-2018-14721?

FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x versions before 2.9.7 are susceptible to server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks due to inadequate prevention of the axis2-jaxws class in polymorphic deserialization.

The Impact of CVE-2018-14721

The vulnerability could be exploited by remote attackers to perform SSRF attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data leakage.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-14721

FasterXML jackson-databind 2.x versions prior to 2.9.7 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows remote attackers to conduct SSRF attacks by leveraging the axis2-jaxws class in polymorphic deserialization.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions prior to 2.9.7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the axis2-jaxws class during the deserialization process, leading to SSRF attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-14721, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FasterXML jackson-databind to version 2.9.7 or later.
Implement network controls to restrict access to potentially vulnerable services.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and patch software dependencies to prevent vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate SSRF risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by FasterXML to address the vulnerability.