CVE-2001-1372 in Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle 9i Application Server 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to obtain the physical path of a file under the server root via a request for a non-existent .JSP file, which leaks the pathname in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2025
This vulnerability exists in Oracle 9i Application Server version 1.0.2 where remote attackers can exploit a path disclosure flaw by requesting non-existent .jsp files. The vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate error handling mechanism that reveals the physical file path structure when processing requests for non-existent java server pages. When the server encounters a request for a missing .jsp file, it generates an error message that inadvertently exposes the underlying file system path where the application is installed. This type of information disclosure represents a fundamental security weakness in the server's response handling and demonstrates poor security practices in error message generation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a straightforward pattern where an attacker crafts a request for a non-existent .jsp file and observes the server's error response. The leaked path information can include complete directory structures that reveal the server's file system layout including installation paths, parent directories, and potentially sensitive organizational structures. This information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including directory traversal attempts, further path disclosure exploits, or targeted attacks against specific server components. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-209 which addresses the improper handling of error messages that can reveal sensitive information about the system's internal structure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly weakens the security posture of systems running Oracle 9i Application Server 1.0.2 by providing attackers with crucial reconnaissance information. The disclosed physical paths can be used to map the server's file system structure, identify potentially vulnerable directories, and plan more targeted attacks. Attackers can leverage this information to bypass security controls, escalate privileges, or gain deeper insights into the server's configuration. The vulnerability also violates security best practices outlined in various frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten, which emphasizes the importance of not revealing sensitive system information through error messages. The exposure of file system paths can enable attackers to perform directory traversal attacks, locate sensitive configuration files, or identify other potential attack vectors within the server environment.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive path information from being exposed to end users. System administrators should configure the Oracle 9i Application Server to return generic error messages that do not reveal internal file system details. This includes modifying server configuration files to suppress detailed error information, implementing custom error pages that mask the actual path information, and ensuring that all error responses are sanitized before being sent to clients. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can filter and normalize error responses, and conduct regular security testing to identify similar path disclosure vulnerabilities in other server components. The remediation process should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for information system security and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance techniques, particularly those related to information gathering and credential access through system information discovery.