CVE-2004-0742 in Java System Portal Server
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java System Portal Server 6.2 (formerly Sun ONE) allows remote authenticated users to obtain Calendar Server privileges and modify Calendar data by changing the display options to a non-default view.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0742 affects Sun Java System Portal Server 6.2, formerly known as Sun ONE Portal Server, presenting a significant privilege escalation risk within the calendar management functionality. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions when modifying calendar display options. The vulnerability specifically manifests when authenticated users manipulate calendar view settings, allowing them to bypass intended authorization boundaries and gain elevated privileges typically reserved for calendar server administrators.
The technical flaw resides in the portal server's insufficient input validation and privilege checking processes within the calendar component's display configuration subsystem. When users change calendar display options from the default view to alternative configurations, the system fails to verify whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary administrative rights to perform such modifications. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where regular authenticated users can effectively impersonate calendar administrators and access restricted calendar data modification functions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of inadequate authorization controls that violates fundamental security principles.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations relying on Sun Java System Portal Server for enterprise collaboration and calendar management. Attackers exploiting this weakness can access sensitive calendar information, modify event details, reschedule meetings, and potentially disrupt business operations through unauthorized calendar manipulations. The impact extends beyond simple data modification to encompass potential confidentiality breaches, as calendar data often contains sensitive business information, personal details, and strategic planning elements. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying available patches from Sun Microsystems, configuring proper access controls for calendar display options, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to portal server components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and corresponds to techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access tactics. Security administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual calendar access patterns and ensure that user roles and permissions are properly enforced. Regular security assessments and access control reviews become critical components of maintaining system integrity. The vulnerability underscores the importance of comprehensive security testing for web portal applications and the necessity of validating all user interactions within calendar and collaboration features.