CVE-2024-27267 Overview
The Object Request Broker (ORB) in IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition contains a race condition vulnerability in the management of ORB listener threads. This vulnerability affects versions 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.5.18 and 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.8.26, allowing remote attackers to cause a denial of service condition against applications utilizing the affected Java SDK.
Critical Impact
A remote attacker can exploit the race condition in ORB listener thread management to cause service disruption, potentially affecting availability of Java-based enterprise applications and middleware that rely on CORBA/IIOP communications.
Affected Products
- IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.5.18
- IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.8.26
- Applications and middleware utilizing IBM Java SDK with ORB functionality
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-08-14 - CVE-2024-27267 published to NVD
- 2025-09-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-27267
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from a race condition (CWE-362) in the Object Request Broker (ORB) component of IBM's Java SDK. The ORB is a fundamental component of CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) that enables communication between distributed objects across a network using the Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP).
The vulnerability specifically affects the management of ORB listener threads, which are responsible for handling incoming CORBA requests. When exploited, this race condition can lead to thread state corruption or resource exhaustion, ultimately resulting in a denial of service condition.
The attack requires no privileges or user interaction, though exploitation complexity is considered high due to the timing-dependent nature of race conditions. A successful attack would impact the availability of the affected system while leaving confidentiality and integrity unaffected.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-27267 is a race condition in the ORB listener thread management logic. Race conditions occur when multiple threads access shared resources without proper synchronization, leading to unpredictable behavior depending on the timing of thread execution.
In this case, the improper synchronization in the ORB's thread management can result in:
- Thread state inconsistencies during concurrent connection handling
- Resource contention when multiple requests arrive simultaneously
- Potential deadlock or livelock conditions in the listener thread pool
Attack Vector
The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can target systems running applications that expose ORB/IIOP services by sending specially crafted requests designed to trigger the race condition.
The attack scenario involves:
- Identifying a target system running IBM SDK Java Technology Edition with ORB services exposed
- Sending concurrent or carefully timed IIOP requests to the ORB listener
- Exploiting the timing window in thread management to cause service disruption
The race condition exploitation typically requires precise timing, which accounts for the high attack complexity rating. However, an attacker can potentially increase success probability through repeated attempts or high-volume request patterns.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-27267
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected termination or hanging of ORB listener threads in Java application logs
- Increased connection timeouts or failures for CORBA/IIOP-based services
- Thread pool exhaustion or deadlock conditions in Java heap dumps
- Abnormal patterns of incoming IIOP traffic (port 535 or configured IIOP port)
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Java application logs for ORB-related exceptions, thread errors, or unexpected service restarts
- Implement network monitoring for unusual IIOP traffic patterns or connection attempts
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying denial of service attack patterns
- Use Java monitoring tools to track ORB thread pool health and detect anomalies
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for ORB components to capture thread management events
- Configure alerts for service availability metrics on CORBA/IIOP-enabled applications
- Implement network-level rate limiting and anomaly detection for IIOP traffic
- Review system resource utilization (CPU, memory, thread counts) for signs of resource exhaustion attacks
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-27267
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all systems running IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition versions 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.5.18 and 8.0.0.0 through 8.0.8.26
- Prioritize patching for systems with externally exposed ORB/IIOP services
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to ORB services to trusted sources only
- Apply the security update from IBM as described in the vendor advisory
Patch Information
IBM has released security patches addressing this vulnerability. Detailed patch information and remediation guidance is available through the IBM Support Page. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition that address the race condition in the ORB listener thread management.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to ORB/IIOP ports using firewall rules to limit exposure
- Implement connection rate limiting for IIOP services to reduce race condition exploitation opportunities
- Consider disabling unused ORB functionality if not required by the application
- Deploy application-level monitoring to detect and respond to denial of service conditions
# Example: Restrict IIOP port access using iptables
# Only allow connections from trusted networks to IIOP port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 535 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 535 -j DROP
# Example: Configure connection rate limiting
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 535 -m connlimit --connlimit-above 50 -j REJECT
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
