CVE-2007-5614 in Jetty
Summary
by MITRE
Mortbay Jetty before 6.1.6rc1 does not properly handle "certain quote sequences" in HTML cookie parameters, which allows remote attackers to hijack browser sessions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5614 affects the Mortbay Jetty web server software versions prior to 6.1.6rc1, representing a critical session management flaw that compromises web application security. This issue stems from improper handling of specific quote sequences within HTML cookie parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit session hijacking mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the HTTP cookie parsing layer where the server fails to correctly process certain character sequences that should be properly escaped or validated during cookie attribute processing. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate cookie values in ways that can lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, potentially allowing full control over affected web applications and user accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Jetty server's cookie parsing logic failing to properly sanitize or validate quote characters within cookie parameter values. When cookies contain specific combinations of quotation marks or other special characters, the parsing mechanism can misinterpret these sequences, leading to incorrect cookie attribute handling. This misinterpretation allows attackers to inject malicious cookie data that bypasses normal session validation procedures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the OSI model, specifically within the HTTP protocol handling components where cookie parameters are processed and validated. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the parsing of input data where improper handling of special characters leads to security consequences. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without generating obvious error messages, making detection difficult during routine security assessments.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5614 extends beyond simple session hijacking to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to impersonate legitimate users, access restricted resources, and perform actions within the web application as if they were authenticated users. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the vulnerability description indicate that multiple attack scenarios are possible, including but not limited to cross-site scripting exploitation, session fixation attacks, and cookie manipulation techniques. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete compromise of web application security models. The impact is particularly severe in environments where web applications handle sensitive data, user authentication, or business-critical operations, as the vulnerability provides a direct path to unauthorized access without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5614 focus on immediate software updates and enhanced input validation measures. Organizations should upgrade to Jetty version 6.1.6rc1 or later, which includes proper quote sequence handling in cookie parsing routines. Additionally, implementing comprehensive cookie validation policies, including proper escaping of special characters in cookie values, can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all web applications using affected Jetty versions and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include reviewing cookie handling code, implementing proper input sanitization, and establishing regular security patching schedules. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving session hijacking and credential access, emphasizing the need for robust session management controls and continuous monitoring of authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as secure cookie flags, HTTP-only attributes, and proper session timeout configurations to minimize the attack surface and reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts.