CVE-2002-1062 in Jana Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Signedness error in Thomas Hauck Jana Server 2.x through 2.2.1, and 1.4.6 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via long (1) Username, (2) Password, or (3) Hostname entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1062 represents a critical signedness error affecting Thomas Hauck Jana Server versions 1.4.6 and earlier, as well as 2.x through 2.2.1. This flaw manifests in the server's handling of user authentication and connection parameters, specifically when processing Username, Password, or Hostname entries that exceed normal length constraints. The issue stems from improper type handling within the server's input validation mechanisms, where signed integer variables are used in contexts where unsigned values are expected, creating a condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through buffer overflow conditions that arise when the server processes excessively long authentication parameters. When an attacker submits a Username, Password, or Hostname entry exceeding the server's expected buffer sizes, the signedness error causes the server to misinterpret the length parameters, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can be manipulated to overwrite critical program execution structures, ultimately allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow and underflow conditions, and more specifically to CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once successful, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the server, potentially escalating privileges to system level, accessing sensitive data, and using the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the core authentication functionality of the Jana Server, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without prior authentication, and the attack surface includes all network connections to the server. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1062 should prioritize immediate patching of affected server versions, as the vulnerability has been known for over two decades and multiple vendor patches are available. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of affected servers, employ input validation and length checking mechanisms to prevent malformed data from reaching vulnerable components, and monitor network traffic for suspicious authentication attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar signedness errors in other legacy systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer type handling in security-critical applications and serves as a reminder of the need for thorough code review processes, particularly for systems handling user input in authentication contexts.