CWE-579 Variante Borrador

J2EE Bad Practices: Non-serializable Object Stored in Session

This vulnerability occurs when a Java application stores an object in the user's session that cannot be serialized, which can break critical application features and hurt reliability.

Definición

What is CWE-579?

This vulnerability occurs when a Java application stores an object in the user's session that cannot be serialized, which can break critical application features and hurt reliability.
Modern Java applications often run across multiple servers (JVMs) for better performance and uptime. To present a seamless experience, the application server needs to copy a user's session data between these servers, especially if one fails. This replication process requires every object stored in the `HttpSession` to be serializable—that is, convertible into a byte stream for transfer. If a non-serializable object is placed in the session, this failover mechanism breaks, potentially causing errors during server scaling or outages. For developers, this means any class whose instance is added to the session via `setAttribute()` must implement the `java.io.Serializable` interface. Common culprits include custom helper classes, third-party library objects, or database connections that weren't designed for serialization. Failing to ensure this prevents session replication, undermining the reliability benefits of a clustered deployment and leading to inconsistent user experiences during infrastructure changes.
Impacto en el mundo real

Real-world CVEs caused by CWE-579

Todavía no hay CVEs públicos enlazados a esta CWE en el catálogo de MITRE.

Cómo lo explotan los atacantes

Ruta del atacante paso a paso

  1. 1

    Identifica una ruta de código que maneje entrada no confiable sin validación.

  2. 2

    Crea un payload que ejercite el comportamiento inseguro — inyección, traversal, overflow o abuso de lógica.

  3. 3

    Envía el payload a través de una solicitud normal y observa la reacción de la aplicación.

  4. 4

    Itera hasta que la respuesta filtre datos, ejecute código del atacante o escale privilegios.

Ejemplo de código vulnerable

Vulnerable Java

The following class adds itself to the session, but because it is not serializable, the session can no longer be replicated.

Vulnerable Java 
public class DataGlob {
  		String globName;
  		String globValue;
  		public void addToSession(HttpSession session) {
  			session.setAttribute("glob", this);
  		}
  }
Ejemplo de código seguro

Secure pseudo

Seguro pseudo 
// Validate, sanitize, or use a safe API before reaching the sink.
function handleRequest(input) {
  const safe = validateAndEscape(input);
  return executeWithGuards(safe);
}
What changed: the unsafe sink is replaced (or the input is validated/escaped) so the same payload no longer triggers the weakness.
Lista de prevención

How to prevent CWE-579

  • Implementation In order for session replication to work, the values the product stores as attributes in the session must implement the Serializable interface.
Señales de detección

How to detect CWE-579

Automated Static Analysis High

Automated static analysis, commonly referred to as Static Application Security Testing (SAST), can find some instances of this weakness by analyzing source code (or binary/compiled code) without having to execute it. Typically, this is done by building a model of data flow and control flow, then searching for potentially-vulnerable patterns that connect "sources" (origins of input) with "sinks" (destinations where the data interacts with external components, a lower layer such as the OS, etc.)

Auto-corrección de Plexicus

Plexicus detecta automáticamente CWE-579 y abre un PR de corrección en menos de 60 segundos.

Codex Remedium escanea cada commit, identifica esta debilidad concreta y entrega un pull request listo para revisión con el parche. Sin tickets. Sin traspasos.

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Preguntas frecuentes

Frequently asked questions

¿Qué es CWE-579?

This vulnerability occurs when a Java application stores an object in the user's session that cannot be serialized, which can break critical application features and hurt reliability.

¿Qué gravedad tiene CWE-579?

MITRE no ha publicado una calificación de probabilidad de explotación para esta debilidad. Trátala como de impacto medio hasta que tu modelo de amenazas demuestre lo contrario.

¿Qué lenguajes o plataformas se ven afectados por CWE-579?

MITRE lists the following affected platforms: Java.

¿Cómo puedo prevenir CWE-579?

In order for session replication to work, the values the product stores as attributes in the session must implement the Serializable interface.

¿Cómo detecta y corrige Plexicus CWE-579?

El motor SAST de Plexicus detecta la firma de flujo de datos para CWE-579 en cada commit. Cuando hay coincidencia, nuestro agente Codex Remedium abre un PR de corrección con el código corregido, las pruebas y un resumen de una línea para el revisor.

¿Dónde puedo aprender más sobre CWE-579?

MITRE publica la definición canónica en https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/579.html. También puedes consultar la documentación de OWASP y NIST para guías relacionadas.

Debilidades relacionadas

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Recursos

Further reading

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