CVE-2001-0179 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Allaire JRun 3.0 allows remote attackers to list contents of the WEB-INF directory, and the web.xml file in the WEB-INF directory, via a malformed URL that contains a "."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0179 affects Allaire JRun 3.0 web application server software, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive configuration files and directory listings. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web server's URL parsing mechanism, specifically when processing malformed URLs containing the dot character. The flaw allows unauthorized access to the WEB-INF directory structure and its contents, including the web.xml deployment descriptor file that contains critical application configuration data. The issue arises from the server's failure to properly sanitize or validate URL components before processing them, creating an avenue for attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's secure context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL paths using the dot character to traverse directory structures that should be inaccessible to remote users. When a malformed URL containing a dot character is submitted to the JRun server, the application fails to properly validate the input and instead processes the request as if it were a legitimate directory traversal attempt. This misconfiguration allows attackers to enumerate directory contents and access files within the WEB-INF directory, which typically contains application configuration files, deployment descriptors, and other sensitive data that should remain hidden from external users. The vulnerability specifically targets the web.xml file, which contains crucial information about servlet mappings, security constraints, and application configuration that could be leveraged by attackers to plan further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive knowledge of the application's internal structure and configuration parameters. The exposure of WEB-INF directory contents and the web.xml file enables attackers to understand the application's architecture, identify potential attack vectors, and develop more sophisticated exploitation strategies. The web.xml file in particular contains sensitive information including security role mappings, servlet definitions, and resource references that could be used to craft targeted attacks against the application. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to protected application resources, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges or launch additional attacks against the web application infrastructure.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of improper input validation and directory traversal, which aligns with CWE-22 - "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and CWE-23 - "Relative Path Traversal." The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust input validation mechanisms and proper access controls within web application servers. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of JRun 3.0, implementing URL filtering rules, and configuring proper access controls to restrict access to sensitive directories. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the necessity of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and defense in depth, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1083 - "File and Directory Discovery" and T1592 - "Gather Victim Host Information" which emphasize how attackers use such flaws to map application environments and gather intelligence for further exploitation.