CVE-2005-0425 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in IBM Websphere Application Server 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0 when running on Windows, allows remote attackers to obtain the source code for Java Server Pages (.jsp) via a crafted URL that causes the page to be processed by the file serving servlet instead of the JSP engine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2019
This vulnerability resides in the IBM Websphere Application Server versions 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0 when operating on Windows platforms, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive source code files. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of Java Server Pages and occurs when a maliciously crafted URL is submitted to the web server, causing the system to process the request through the file serving servlet rather than the proper JSP engine. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal security controls and directly retrieve the source code of JSP files, which typically contain sensitive business logic, database connection strings, and other proprietary code elements that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental issue in the server's request routing mechanism where the application server fails to properly validate or redirect requests for JSP files to the appropriate processing engine.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output neutralization for logs, and CWE-502, which addresses deserialization of untrusted data, though in this case the issue manifests as a path traversal or request routing error. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically targeting the use of valid accounts or services to access sensitive information. Attackers exploit this weakness by crafting URLs that manipulate the server's internal processing flow, effectively tricking the system into serving the raw .jsp source files instead of executing them as dynamic content. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with complete visibility into the application's implementation details, potentially exposing database credentials, business logic, and other sensitive implementation artifacts that could be used for further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected IBM Websphere versions, as it creates an immediate risk of intellectual property theft and potential system compromise. Once attackers obtain the source code, they gain detailed knowledge of the application architecture, which can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including injection attacks, privilege escalation, or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities present in the codebase. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive source code that should remain protected within the organization's secure environment. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, competitive disadvantages, and potential legal consequences from the exposure of proprietary source code and implementation details. The vulnerability also impacts system integrity since the exposure of source code can lead to further exploitation opportunities and may reveal implementation flaws that attackers can leverage for additional attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of IBM's security patches and updates specifically designed to address this issue, ensuring that all affected Websphere Application Server instances are updated to versions that properly route JSP requests to the appropriate processing engine. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious URL manipulation, while also configuring the server to restrict direct access to .jsp files through the file serving servlet. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, organizations should establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential compromise scenarios. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper security configuration management and regular vulnerability assessment practices to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.