CVE-2001-1510 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Allaire JRun 2.3.3, 3.0 and 3.1 running on IIS 4.0 and 5.0, iPlanet, Apache, JRun web server (JWS), and possibly other web servers allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and directories by appending (1) "%3f.jsp", (2) "?.jsp" or (3) "?" to the requested URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1510 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Allaire JRun web applications running on multiple web server platforms including IIS 4.0 and 5.0, iPlanet, Apache, and JRun web server. This vulnerability exists in versions 2.3.3, 3.0, and 3.1 of the JRun application server, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these older software components. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the web application's request processing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to manipulate URL parameters and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way JRun processes web requests containing specific URL patterns that end with .jsp extensions. When attackers append sequences such as "%3f.jsp", "?.jsp", or "?" to target URLs, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs, resulting in improper path resolution. This weakness enables attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected, potentially including configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other sensitive data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents severe implications for affected organizations as it allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized file access operations without authentication. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers could potentially access critical system files, application source code, or configuration data that might contain sensitive information such as database connection strings, cryptographic keys, or administrative credentials. The vulnerability affects multiple web server environments, amplifying its potential impact across different deployment scenarios and increasing the attack surface for malicious actors. This issue particularly affects legacy systems where organizations may have delayed updates or migrations due to compatibility concerns or resource constraints.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for JRun versions 2.3.3, 3.0, and 3.1, as well as implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URL patterns containing the specific traversal sequences mentioned in the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy applications. Organizations should also consider implementing input validation controls at multiple layers including web server configuration, application code, and network-level security devices to prevent exploitation of similar path traversal vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083, File and Directory Discovery, as it enables adversaries to enumerate system files and directories through the application's flawed request handling mechanisms. Given the age of the affected software versions, organizations should prioritize migration to supported modern web application platforms and implement comprehensive application security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future deployments.