CVE-2007-2377 in Direct Web Remoting
Summary
by MITRE
The Getahead Direct Web Remoting (DWR) framework 1.1.4 exchanges data using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) without an associated protection scheme, which allows remote attackers to obtain the data via a web page that retrieves the data through a URL in the SRC attribute of a SCRIPT element and captures the data using other JavaScript code, aka "JavaScript Hijacking."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The CVE-2007-2377 vulnerability affects the Getahead Direct Web Remoting framework version 1.1.4, specifically targeting its data exchange mechanism through JavaScript Object Notation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in how the framework handles sensitive data transmission, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access through client-side exploitation techniques. The vulnerability stems from the framework's failure to implement proper data protection measures when delivering JSON formatted information to client browsers, leaving sensitive data exposed to malicious actors who can intercept and retrieve this information through carefully crafted web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental design of how DWR framework delivers data to client applications. When the framework generates JSON responses for remote method calls, it does so without any form of data encryption or access control mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this by creating malicious web pages that include a script element with a source URL pointing to the vulnerable DWR endpoint. The browser automatically fetches this JSON data and executes it as JavaScript code, allowing the attacker's page to access and capture the returned data through standard JavaScript DOM manipulation techniques. This attack vector specifically targets the SRC attribute of SCRIPT elements, making it particularly insidious as it can be executed through normal browser behavior without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables comprehensive data harvesting across applications using the affected DWR framework version. Remote attackers can systematically retrieve user session information, personal data, system configurations, and other sensitive information that the framework transmits through JSON responses. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where DWR frameworks are commonly used for AJAX-based applications, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data breaches, and unauthorized access to protected system resources. The attack can be executed from any location with network access to the vulnerable application, making it a significant threat to applications handling sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2377 should focus on implementing proper data protection mechanisms within the DWR framework configuration. Organizations should upgrade to newer versions of the framework that include built-in security features and proper JSON data protection. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can help prevent unauthorized script execution, while adding authentication and authorization checks to DWR endpoints can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. Additionally, developers should consider implementing JSONP protection mechanisms and ensuring that sensitive data is not transmitted through unsecured JSON responses. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-345 Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity, as the framework fails to verify the authenticity of data being transmitted, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers can leverage the framework's data transmission patterns to harvest sensitive information through DNS-based data exfiltration techniques. The recommended approach includes comprehensive security testing of all AJAX framework implementations and regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application architecture.