CVE-2007-3384 in Tomcat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in examples/servlet/CookieExample in Apache Tomcat 3.3 through 3.3.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) Name or (2) Value field, related to error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3384 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Apache Tomcat versions 3.3 through 3.3.2 within the examples/servlet/CookieExample component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into web responses. The vulnerability specifically targets the Name and Value fields of cookie examples, where error messages generated by the servlet contain unescaped user input, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the security posture of web applications deployed on affected Tomcat versions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user interaction with cookie management functionality is common.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious payloads into the Name or Value fields of cookies, which are then processed by the CookieExample servlet and displayed in error messages without proper sanitization. When these error messages are rendered in web browsers, the injected scripts execute within the context of the victim's session, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or other malicious activities. This flaw demonstrates a classic lack of output encoding practices that should be implemented according to secure coding guidelines and aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the example servlets that are typically included with Tomcat installations, making it more likely to be present in production environments where these examples are not properly removed or secured.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3384 extends beyond immediate script execution capabilities to encompass broader security implications for web application integrity and user trust. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform session manipulation attacks, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the affected Tomcat versions, as it allows remote code execution through browser-based attacks without requiring additional privileges or system-level access. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches, as the injected scripts can access session cookies, form data, and other sensitive information that users might interact with through the affected servlet. This vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, as the application should have implemented proper sanitization of all user-provided inputs before rendering them in web contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Apache Tomcat versions 4.1.27 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS flaws in the CookieExample servlet. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout their applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being incorporated into web responses. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTTP response headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS attacks. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their Tomcat deployments and ensure that example servlets are either removed or properly secured. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten project, which specifically addresses XSS vulnerabilities as critical security concerns that require immediate attention and remediation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1203 technique for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for proper application security controls and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of such flaws.