CVE-2005-4804 in Java System Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Sun Java System Application Server Platform Edition and Enterprise Edition 8.1 2005 Q1, and Platform Edition UR1, allows remote attackers to read .jar files via unknown vectors related to deployed web applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
This vulnerability resides within the Sun Java System Application Server Platform Edition and Enterprise Edition versions 8.1 2005 Q1 and Platform Edition UR1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access .jar files through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability specifically targets deployed web applications within the application server environment, creating a significant exposure point for sensitive software components. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the flaw may manifest through multiple pathways within the server's file access mechanisms, potentially involving improper access controls or inadequate input validation in the web application deployment handling processes. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could allow attackers to extract compiled java archive files that may contain proprietary code, configuration information, or other sensitive data components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves weaknesses in the application server's web application deployment and access control mechanisms, potentially leveraging improper file path handling or insufficient authentication checks during .jar file retrieval operations. The flaw may exist in the server's servlet or web container implementation where deployed applications are served, allowing unauthorized access to the underlying file system through crafted requests that bypass normal access controls. This vulnerability type aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and may also relate to CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access controls. The attack surface expands when considering that .jar files often contain compiled class files, configuration resources, and potentially sensitive information that could be exploited for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers could potentially extract complete application components including proprietary code, database connection strings, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive configuration parameters embedded within the .jar files. This exposure creates opportunities for attackers to perform detailed analysis of the target application architecture, identify potential additional vulnerabilities, and develop more sophisticated attack strategies. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where application servers are accessible over networks. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1213, which covers data from information repositories, and could enable subsequent techniques such as T1083 for file and directory discovery and T1552 for credentials harvesting.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected application server versions, implementation of proper access controls for deployed applications, and network segmentation to limit exposure. Administrators should ensure that all web applications are properly configured with appropriate authentication and authorization mechanisms, and that .jar file access is restricted to authorized users only. Network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for unusual file access patterns, particularly those targeting .jar files or application deployment directories. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses in the application server configuration and deployed web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against information disclosure attacks that could compromise entire application environments.