CVE-2000-1210 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in source.jsp of Apache Tomcat before 3.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the argument to source.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1210 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Apache Tomcat versions prior to 3.1, specifically affecting the source.jsp component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file requests. The flaw manifests when the application accepts a .. (dot dot) sequence in the argument to source.jsp, which enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a fundamental security weakness that has plagued web applications for decades. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate file access requests through directory path manipulation, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, and information disclosure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or ../../../windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts. The source.jsp component fails to validate or sanitize these inputs, allowing the application to interpret the traversal sequences and resolve them to actual filesystem paths. When the application attempts to read or display the requested file, it processes the malicious path and returns the contents of files that should otherwise be protected. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to access sensitive system files, configuration files, application source code, and other confidential data. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a preferred target for both skilled and less sophisticated attackers. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment), as it enables attackers to discover and extract valuable information from compromised systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1210 extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access database connection strings, application credentials, system configuration files, and source code repositories that contain sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the core web application functionality of Apache Tomcat, which was widely deployed in enterprise environments, making the potential impact substantial. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Tomcat were exposed to immediate risk of data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper access controls in web application security, as it highlights how a single missing security check can provide attackers with extensive access to system resources. This type of vulnerability often leads to cascading security issues, as the initial compromise can provide attackers with enough information to plan further attacks against the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation can also result in denial of service conditions if attackers target critical system files, potentially causing application instability or complete service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-1210 primarily focus on upgrading to Apache Tomcat version 3.1 or later, where the directory traversal vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and path sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that filter out or reject directory traversal sequences in all user-supplied parameters. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation attempts. Security patches and updates should be applied promptly to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application stack. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable applications. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can detect and block malicious directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of thorough security testing before deploying web applications to production environments. Regular security training for developers and system administrators can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future applications, while maintaining up-to-date security documentation and incident response procedures ensures rapid response to potential exploitation attempts.