CVE-2001-0591 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Oracle JSP 1.0.x through 1.1.1 and Oracle 8.1.7 iAS Release 1.0.2 can allow a remote attacker to read or execute arbitrary .jsp files via a .. (dot dot) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0591 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Oracle JSP 1.0.x through 1.1.1 versions and Oracle 8.1.7 iAS Release 1.0.2 installations. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Java Server Pages implementation that processes user-supplied path parameters without proper sanitization. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate file path references through the use of directory traversal sequences, specifically the ".." (dot dot) notation that is commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. When an application fails to properly validate or filter such sequences, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing directory traversal sequences is processed by the Oracle JSP engine without adequate security controls. Attackers can construct malicious URLs or request parameters that include sequences like "../../../etc/passwd" or similar patterns to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access restricted files or execute arbitrary JSP code. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially read configuration files, source code, or execute malicious code within the context of the web application server.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0591 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive files that may contain database credentials, application configuration details, or other confidential information that could facilitate further attacks. The ability to execute arbitrary JSP files provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated exploitation techniques, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web application environments where Oracle iAS serves as a platform for hosting business-critical applications, as it can expose the entire application infrastructure to unauthorized access and manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters that may be used in file path operations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict path validation mechanisms that reject or filter out directory traversal sequences before they are processed by the application. Security controls should include the enforcement of proper access controls, the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent direct user input from being used in file system operations, and the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious traversal attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web application directories and regularly audit file access patterns to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure development practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and credential access through path traversal methods.