CVE-2007-1526 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 before 20070314 allows remote authenticated users with revoked client certificates to bypass the Certificate Revocation List (CRL) authorization control and access secure web server instances running under an account different from that used for the admin server via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1526 represents a critical security flaw in Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 versions prior to the 20070314 patch release. This issue specifically targets the Certificate Revocation List authorization mechanism that is fundamental to secure web server operations. The vulnerability allows authenticated users who have had their client certificates revoked to continue accessing protected web server instances, effectively undermining the core security controls designed to prevent unauthorized access based on certificate validation.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of certificate revocation lists within the web server's authentication framework. When client certificates are revoked, the system should immediately terminate their access privileges and prevent further authorization attempts. However, this vulnerability enables attackers to exploit a race condition or logic flaw in the certificate validation process, allowing revoked certificates to maintain access to web resources. The issue is particularly concerning because it affects secure web server instances running under different accounts than the admin server, creating a cross-account privilege escalation vector.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on certificate-based authentication for web server security. The ability to bypass CRL authorization controls means that even after certificate revocation has been properly implemented, unauthorized access can still occur. This undermines the entire certificate management infrastructure and can lead to data breaches, unauthorized system access, and potential compromise of sensitive web applications. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the flaw may be exploitable through multiple attack paths, increasing the overall risk surface.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials from password storage repositories. Organizations using affected versions should immediately implement the available patch from Sun Microsystems to address the certificate validation logic flaw. Additional mitigations include implementing redundant authentication mechanisms, monitoring certificate revocation events more closely, and ensuring proper account separation between admin and web server instances. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper certificate lifecycle management and the need for thorough testing of authorization controls, particularly in enterprise web server environments where certificate-based authentication is commonly deployed.