CVE-2015-5254: Activemq client Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

CRITICAL
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-q9hr-3pg4-3jp4
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CVSS 9.8
CWE-20
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2015-5254 is a CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8) improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affecting Activemq client libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper input validation in apache activemq. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.11.3, 5.12.2.

CVE-2015-5254 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2015-5254
GHSA Identifier GHSA-q9hr-3pg4-3jp4
Severity CRITICAL
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.8
CWE Classification CWE-20: Improper Input Validation
Affected Product Activemq client
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2015-5254

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Activemq client 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.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.11.3 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.11.3</version>
</dependency>
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client fixed: 5.12.2 
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.apache.activemq</groupId>
    <artifactId>activemq-client</artifactId>
    <version>5.12.2</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.activemq

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2015-5254, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

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

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Activemq client in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 5.11.3), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.activemq 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-20: Improper Input Validation, where the product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. In Activemq client, 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

Apache ActiveMQ 5.x before 5.13.0 does not restrict the classes that can be serialized in the broker, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted serialized Java Message Service (JMS) ObjectMessage object.

CVE-2015-5254 Affected Activemq client Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.11.35.12.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
≥ 5.0.0
< 5.11.3
5.11.3
org.apache.activemq:activemq-client
maven/org.apache.activemq/activemq-client
Maven
≥ 5.12.0
< 5.12.2
5.12.2

References

NVD — CVE-2015-5254 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-5254
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/6f03921b31d9fefeddb0f4fa63150ed1f94a14b
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/73a0caf758f9e4916783a205c7e422b4db27905
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/7eb9b218b2705cf9273e30ee2da026e43b6dd4e
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/e7a4b53f799685e337972dd36ba0253c04bcc01
Activemq client Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/apache/activemq
h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/pu... WEB
https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05385680
issues.apache.org/jira/browse/amq-601... WEB
https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-6013
lists.apache.org/thread.html/a859563... WEB
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a859563f05fbe7c31916b3178c2697165bd9bbf5a65d1cf62aef27d2@%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2015-5254-announcement.txt
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-a... WEB
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-December/174371.html
lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-a... WEB
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-December/174537.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2016-04... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0489.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2016-20... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2035.html
rhn.redhat.com/errata/rhsa-2016-20... WEB
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2036.html
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3524
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/12/08/6
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html
Activemq client Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2015-5254?
CVE-2015-5254 is a security vulnerability in Activemq client involving Improper Input Validation in Apache ActiveMQ under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation.
Which Activemq client versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.11.3, 5.12.2 across affected packages: org.apache.activemq:activemq-client.
What version fixes CVE-2015-5254?
Upgrading to 5.11.3, 5.12.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is activemq-client affected?
Yes, org.apache.activemq:activemq-client is affected in releases prior to 5.11.3, 5.12.2. Upgrade your dependency to 5.11.3, 5.12.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2015-5254?
CVE-2015-5254 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (CRITICAL) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2015-5254?
CVE-2015-5254 is classified under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation (The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2015-5254?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=org.apache.activemq'. 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-q9hr-3pg4-3jp4",
  "modified" : "2023-12-20T20:12:49Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:30:05Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2015-5254" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Input Validation in Apache ActiveMQ",
  "details" : "Apache ActiveMQ 5.x before 5.13.0 does not restrict the classes that can be serialized in the broker, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted serialized Java Message Service (JMS) ObjectMessage object.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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        "introduced" : "5.0.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.11.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
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    },
    "ranges" : [ {
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        "introduced" : "5.12.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.12.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-5254"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/6f03921b31d9fefeddb0f4fa63150ed1f94a14b"
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    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/73a0caf758f9e4916783a205c7e422b4db27905"
  }, {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/7eb9b218b2705cf9273e30ee2da026e43b6dd4e"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq/commit/e7a4b53f799685e337972dd36ba0253c04bcc01"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/apache/activemq"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://h20566.www2.hpe.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/kb/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c05385680"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/AMQ-6013"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/a859563f05fbe7c31916b3178c2697165bd9bbf5a65d1cf62aef27d2@%3Ccommits.activemq.apache.org%3E"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://activemq.apache.org/security-advisories.data/CVE-2015-5254-announcement.txt"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-December/174371.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2015-December/174537.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-0489.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2035.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2036.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3524"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/12/08/6"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpujul2017-3236622.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuoct2017-3236626.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-20" ],
    "severity" : "CRITICAL",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-06T20:11:33Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2016-01-08T19:59:00Z"
  }
}