CVE-2005-4473 in JRun
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Macromedia JRun 4 web server (JWS) allows remote attackers to view web application source code via "a malformed URL."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4473 affects Macromedia JRun 4 web server implementation, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive web application source code through the exploitation of malformed URL requests. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server's URL processing functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized code disclosure that significantly compromises application security. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web server's handling of malformed Uniform Resource Locators that should normally be rejected or properly processed by the server's request parsing components.
The technical flaw manifests when the JRun 4 web server encounters a malformed URL that triggers an improper response handling mechanism within its request processing pipeline. This allows attackers to construct specific URL sequences that bypass normal access controls and directory traversal restrictions, ultimately enabling the retrieval of source code files from the web application's file system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and represents a variant of path traversal attacks that exploit insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input. The flaw exists in the server's URL parsing and resource resolution logic, where malformed input is not properly validated before being processed, leading to unintended file access patterns.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations utilizing Macromedia JRun 4 web servers, as it enables complete source code disclosure of web applications hosted on affected systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain comprehensive knowledge of application architecture, business logic implementation, and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities through source code analysis. The impact extends beyond immediate code exposure to include potential privilege escalation opportunities, as source code often contains database connection strings, authentication mechanisms, and other sensitive configuration details. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1592.001 "Resource Hijacking" and T1213.002 "Backup Data" when attackers use the exposed source code to identify and exploit additional system weaknesses. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, intellectual property theft, and increased attack surface exposure when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4473 should prioritize immediate deployment of vendor-provided security patches or updates to the JRun 4 web server implementation. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms at the application level, including URL sanitization and proper request parsing to prevent malformed URL sequences from being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious URL patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive source code reviews and implement proper access controls to limit exposure of sensitive application files, while establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in web server implementations, highlighting the need for defense-in-depth strategies that address multiple layers of potential attack vectors.