CVE-2001-1513 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Macromedia JRun 3.0 and 3.1 allows remote attackers to obtain duplicate active user session IDs and perform actions as other users via a URL request for the web application directory without the trailing / (slash), as demonstrated using ctx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1513 represents a critical session management flaw in Macromedia JRun 3.0 and 3.1 web application servers that enables unauthorized users to hijack active user sessions. This issue stems from improper handling of directory requests without trailing slashes, creating predictable session ID exposure that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and perform actions on their behalf.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the web server's inadequate session identification mechanism when processing directory requests. When a user accesses a web application directory without a trailing slash, the JRun server fails to properly manage session state, resulting in duplicate session IDs being generated or exposed. This behavior creates a scenario where an attacker can predict or obtain valid session identifiers that correspond to active user sessions, effectively allowing them to impersonate legitimate users within the application. The vulnerability specifically manifests when using URL requests that target web application directories without the trailing slash character, as demonstrated through the ctx parameter usage in attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it directly compromises the authentication and authorization mechanisms of web applications running on affected JRun versions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking attacks, gaining access to sensitive user data, performing unauthorized transactions, and executing privileged operations within the application context. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of user isolation, allowing one user to assume the identity and privileges of another user. This type of attack can result in significant data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage for organizations relying on vulnerable JRun implementations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of JRun 3.0 and 3.1, implementing proper URL handling rules to ensure consistent trailing slash behavior, and deploying session management best practices such as secure session ID generation, automatic session timeout mechanisms, and proper session invalidation procedures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate session management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for credential access through session hijacking. Additional defensive measures should include network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar session management vulnerabilities across the application infrastructure.