CVE-2007-1860 in Tomcat JK Web Server Connector
Summary
by MITRE
mod_jk in Apache Tomcat JK Web Server Connector 1.2.x before 1.2.23 decodes request URLs within the Apache HTTP Server before passing the URL to Tomcat, which allows remote attackers to access protected pages via a crafted prefix JkMount, possibly involving double-encoded .. (dot dot) sequences and directory traversal, a related issue to CVE-2007-0450.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1860 affects the mod_jk connector module used to integrate Apache HTTP Server with Apache Tomcat application servers. This issue specifically targets version 1.2.x of the JK connector prior to 1.2.23, where the module exhibits improper handling of URL decoding processes during request forwarding between the web server and the application server. The flaw exists in how the connector processes request URLs before they are passed to the Tomcat container, creating a potential security bypass mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the improper URL decoding behavior within the mod_jk module. When requests are forwarded from Apache HTTP Server to Tomcat through mod_jk, the connector performs URL decoding operations on the request paths before transmission. This premature decoding allows attackers to craft malicious JkMount configurations that can bypass directory traversal restrictions. Specifically, attackers can utilize double-encoded sequences containing .. (dot dot) characters to manipulate the URL path resolution, effectively circumventing access controls that should prevent traversal to protected directories or files.
This vulnerability represents a directory traversal issue that aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') and relates to the broader category of web application security flaws that affect request processing and access control mechanisms. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the integration layer between web server and application server, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive resources that should be protected by the application's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to access protected application resources including configuration files, source code, and other sensitive data that should remain restricted to authorized users. The attack vector involves crafting specific JkMount directives with double-encoded path traversal sequences that, when processed by the flawed mod_jk module, result in the bypass of access controls implemented within the Tomcat application. This allows unauthorized users to access restricted content that would normally be protected by the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to mod_jk version 1.2.23 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly handle URL decoding and prevent the directory traversal behavior. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization at multiple layers of their web application architecture, including configuring Apache HTTP Server with appropriate access control directives and ensuring that JkMount configurations do not permit unnecessary directory traversal capabilities. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious URL patterns and unauthorized access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.
The vulnerability demonstrates how integration layer components can introduce security risks that may not be apparent at the application level, highlighting the importance of comprehensive security testing across all components in a web application stack. This issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, as it allows adversaries to access sensitive data through manipulated URL paths that bypass normal access controls, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities within the affected web application environment.