OpenAM: Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution via Class.forName in AuthXMLUtils.createCustomCallback

Summary

A pre-authentication remote code execution vulnerability affects OpenAM. The remote authentication endpoint (/authservice, PLL) accepts an XML element that names an arbitrary Java class, which the server then loads and instantiates without validation. On a default configuration this is reachable without authentication and allows an attacker to run code on the server.

Impact

Unauthenticated remote code execution / full server compromise on any OpenAM instance with default settings.

Affected

All releases up to and including 16.1.1 (the defect predates the Open Identity Platform fork).

Remediation

Upgrade to 16.1.2.

Interim mitigation

• Require the remote-auth security token by enabling sunRemoteAuthSecurityEnabled (rejects unauthenticated /authservice calls).
• Restrict or block external network access to /authservice until patched.

Credit

Vulnerability discovered by Zhixi "Jace" Sun of ASM/VI at TikTok.