CVE-2001-1545 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Macromedia JRun 3.0 and 3.1 appends the jsessionid to URL requests (a.k.a. rewriting) when client browsers have cookies enabled, which allows remote attackers to obtain session IDs and hijack sessions via HTTP referrer fields or sniffing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
This vulnerability in Macromedia JRun versions 3.0 and 3.1 represents a critical session management flaw that undermines the security of web applications built on this platform. The issue stems from the application server's improper handling of session identifiers when client browsers have cookies enabled, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit session tracking mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the server automatically appends the jsessionid parameter to URLs, a process known as URL rewriting, which occurs regardless of whether the client can properly handle cookies.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the server's session management system failing to properly distinguish between clients that can handle cookies versus those that cannot. When cookies are enabled but the server still performs URL rewriting, it creates a scenario where session identifiers become exposed in the URL structure. This exposure occurs because the jsessionid parameter gets embedded in every URL that the application generates, making it visible in HTTP referrer headers when users navigate between pages or when external sites link to application resources. The vulnerability essentially defeats the purpose of secure session management by making session identifiers readily accessible through standard web traffic analysis.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for applications deployed on affected JRun servers, as it enables session hijacking attacks that can result in unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive application data. Attackers can leverage this weakness through simple HTTP traffic sniffing or by analyzing referrer headers from web server logs, allowing them to reconstruct valid session identifiers and impersonate legitimate users. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration, especially in environments where session tokens provide access to administrative functions or sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely heavily on session-based authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and also relates to broader session management weaknesses that fall under ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through session hijacking. Organizations using affected JRun versions face potential compliance violations with security standards such as PCI DSS and ISO 27001, which require robust session management controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session handling implementations and highlights the risks associated with legacy application servers that may not properly implement modern session management best practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected JRun versions to the latest available updates from Macromedia, which would address the URL rewriting behavior when cookies are enabled. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as enforcing secure cookie attributes including HttpOnly and Secure flags, implementing proper session timeout mechanisms, and deploying network monitoring tools to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate session hijacking attempts. Additionally, application-level protections such as implementing CSRF tokens and regular session regeneration should be considered as part of a comprehensive security posture. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and updates of application server components to prevent exploitation of known session management flaws that could compromise entire web applications.