CVE-2019-17556 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 are vulnerable to a deserialization flaw that could allow an attacker to execute unauthorized code.

Understanding CVE-2019-17556

Versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 of Apache Olingo introduce a deserialization vulnerability that could lead to code execution by supplying corrupt metadata.

What is CVE-2019-17556?

Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 contain a public API, the AbstractService class, which uses ObjectInputStream without validating deserialized classes. If an attacker provides malicious metadata, unauthorized code execution may occur.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17556

The vulnerability in Apache Olingo versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 could result in the execution of unauthorized code, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17556

Apache Olingo's deserialization vulnerability in versions 4.0.0 to 4.6.0 has the following technical details:

Vulnerability Description

The AbstractService class in Apache Olingo utilizes ObjectInputStream without proper validation of deserialized classes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Olingo
Vendor: Apache
Versions: 4.0.0 to 4.6.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by supplying corrupt metadata to the AbstractService class, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-17556, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Apache Olingo to a patched version that addresses the deserialization vulnerability.
Implement strict input validation to prevent malicious metadata injection.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security mailing lists and vendor announcements for updates and patches.
Conduct security audits to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Apache promptly to mitigate the deserialization vulnerability.