CVE-2015-7450
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected IBM products by sending specially crafted serialized Java objects. It exploits a flaw in the Apache Commons Collections library's InvokerTransformer class. Affected systems include various IBM analytics, business solutions, cognitive, IT infrastructure, and mobile/social products.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM analytics products
- IBM business solutions
- IBM cognitive products
- IBM IT infrastructure products
- IBM mobile and social products
📦 What is this software?
Watson Explorer Analytical Components by Ibm
View all CVEs affecting Watson Explorer Analytical Components →
Watson Explorer Analytical Components by Ibm
View all CVEs affecting Watson Explorer Analytical Components →
Watson Explorer Annotation Administration Console by Ibm
View all CVEs affecting Watson Explorer Annotation Administration Console →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with remote code execution leading to data theft, system destruction, or lateral movement across networks.
Likely Case
Remote attackers gain unauthorized access to execute commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration or installation of malware.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and access controls, impact limited to isolated systems with minimal data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit code for similar Commons Collections vulnerabilities is widely available and can be adapted.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Varies by product - see IBM advisories
Vendor Advisory: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21970575
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Identify affected IBM products. 2. Check IBM advisories for specific patches. 3. Apply vendor-provided patches. 4. Restart affected services. 5. Verify patch application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Block Java Object Serialization
allConfigure application firewalls or WAFs to block serialized Java objects
Update Commons Collections Library
allManually update Apache Commons Collections to version 3.2.2 or later
Replace commons-collections.jar with version 3.2.2+ in application classpath
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems behind firewalls with strict network access controls
- Implement application-level input validation to reject serialized objects
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IBM product versions against advisory lists and verify Commons Collections library version < 3.2.2Check Version:
java -cp commons-collections.jar org.apache.commons.collections.CollectionUtils (check version in manifest)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify IBM product version is patched per advisories and Commons Collections >= 3.2.2📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Java deserialization errors
- Unexpected InvokerTransformer class usage
- Suspicious network connections post-deserialization
Network Indicators:
- Serialized Java objects in HTTP requests
- Unusual outbound connections from IBM applications
SIEM Query:
source="*ibm*" AND (deserialization OR InvokerTransformer OR commons-collections)🔗 References
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21970575
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971342
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971376
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971733
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971758
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21972799
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/77653
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035125
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41613/
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21970575
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971342
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971376
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971733
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21971758
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21972799
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/77653
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035125
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41613/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2015-7450
