CVE-2004-0280 in Resin
Summary
by MITRE
Caucho Technology Resin 2.1.12 allows remote attackers to view JSP source via an HTTP request to a .jsp file that ends in a "%20" (encoded space character), e.g. index.jsp%20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0280 represents a critical information disclosure flaw in Caucho Technology Resin version 2.1.12 web application server. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of HTTP requests targeting JSP (Java Server Pages) files, creating an unintended pathway for remote attackers to access sensitive source code. The flaw manifests when a malicious user submits an HTTP request to a .jsp file with a URL-encoded space character appended to the filename, such as index.jsp%20. This seemingly innocuous modification triggers a misconfiguration in the Resin server's request processing logic, allowing unauthorized access to the underlying JSP source code. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and path resolution mechanisms within the application server, where the server fails to properly sanitize or validate the request parameters before serving content.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the application layer and exploits a classic path traversal or request handling flaw. The Resin server's web container processes the URL-encoded space character in a manner that bypasses normal security controls, effectively treating the request as if it were targeting a different resource path. This behavior aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-444, which covers improper request handling in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal sophistication from threat actors, relying only on basic URL manipulation techniques that can be automated through common web scanning tools. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor access point where the server's default behavior of serving source code instead of compiled bytecode exposes sensitive application logic, business rules, and potentially database connection strings or other confidential information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as JSP source code often contains sensitive implementation details that could be leveraged for further attacks. Attackers can extract application logic, identify potential security weaknesses in coding practices, and gain insights into the application architecture that would otherwise remain hidden. This exposure can lead to more sophisticated attacks including injection vulnerabilities, authentication bypasses, or privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the application by potentially exposing implementation details that could be used to craft targeted attacks against the application's runtime environment. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) through the information gathering phase, as attackers can use the disclosed source code to plan more effective attacks against the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0280 should focus on immediate patching of the Resin application server to version 2.1.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper input validation and request handling. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls or security filters that can detect and block URL-encoded space characters in requests targeting JSP files. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application server to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other components of the application stack. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper request sanitization and the need for comprehensive testing of web application servers against various malformed input scenarios. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring for unusual access patterns or attempts to access source code files, as these activities could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly identify and respond to potential exploitation of this type of vulnerability, particularly in environments where legacy applications remain in production.