CVE-2015-0225: Apache cassandra Improper Neutralization Of Special Elements Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-w7f2-gjxf-2gm9
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CWE-77
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2015-0225 is a HIGH improper neutralization of special elements vulnerability (CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')) affecting Apache cassandra libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper neutralization of special elements used in a command in apache cassandra. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.0.14, 2.1.4.

CVE-2015-0225 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2015-0225
GHSA Identifier GHSA-w7f2-gjxf-2gm9
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
Affected Product Apache cassandra
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2015-0225

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Apache cassandra dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra fixed: 2.0.14 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.cassandra</groupId>
    <artifactId>apache-cassandra</artifactId>
    <version>2.0.14</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra fixed: 2.1.4 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.cassandra</groupId>
    <artifactId>apache-cassandra</artifactId>
    <version>2.1.4</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cassandra

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2015-0225, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cassandra

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Apache cassandra in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.0.14), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cassandra command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. In Apache cassandra, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

The default configuration in Apache Cassandra 1.2.0 through 1.2.19, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13, and 2.1.0 through 2.1.3 binds an unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface to all network interfaces, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via an RMI request.

CVE-2015-0225 Affected Apache cassandra Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.0.142.1.4
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra
maven/org.apache.cassandra/apache-cassandra
Maven
≥ 1.2.0
< 2.0.14
2.0.14
org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra
maven/org.apache.cassandra/apache-cassandra
Maven
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.4
2.1.4

References

NVD — CVE-2015-0225 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0225
Apache cassandra Security Information SECURITY
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/131249/Apache-Cassandra-Remote-Code-Execution.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2015-19... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1947.html
www.mail-archive.com/user@cassandra.apac... WEB
http://www.mail-archive.com/user@cassandra.apache.org/msg41819.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-0225?
CVE-2015-0225 is a security vulnerability in Apache cassandra involving Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command in Apache Cassandra under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection').
Which Apache cassandra versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.0.14, 2.1.4 across affected packages: org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra.
What version fixes CVE-2015-0225?
Upgrading to 2.0.14, 2.1.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is apache-cassandra affected?
Yes, org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra is affected in releases prior to 2.0.14, 2.1.4. Upgrade your dependency to 2.0.14, 2.1.4 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2015-0225?
CVE-2015-0225 is classified under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2015-0225?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.cassandra'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-w7f2-gjxf-2gm9",
  "modified" : "2022-07-06T20:40:57Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-14T02:49:56Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2015-0225" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command  in Apache Cassandra",
  "details" : "The default configuration in Apache Cassandra 1.2.0 through 1.2.19, 2.0.0 through 2.0.13, and 2.1.0 through 2.1.3 binds an unauthenticated JMX/RMI interface to all network interfaces, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Java code via an RMI request.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "1.2.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.0.14"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "org.apache.cassandra:apache-cassandra"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.1.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.1.4"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-0225"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/131249/Apache-Cassandra-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2015-1947.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.mail-archive.com/user@cassandra.apache.org/msg41819.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-77" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-06T20:40:57Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2015-04-03T14:59:00Z"
  }
}