CVE-2008-2404 in Java Active Server Pages
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the request handling implementation in Sun Java Active Server Pages (ASP) Server before 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an unspecified string field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2404 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Sun Java Active Server Pages (ASP) Server version 4.0.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically resides in the request handling implementation component of the server software, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring authentication. The flaw manifests when processing an unspecified string field within incoming requests, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overflow the allocated stack buffer and potentially overwrite critical memory segments. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in cybersecurity assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected service. This remote code execution capability enables threat actors to gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the attack vectors and techniques that would be employed to leverage this weakness.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2008-2404 requires careful crafting of input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, typically through manipulation of string fields in HTTP requests or related server communications. Attackers would construct malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable ASP server, cause the stack buffer to overflow and overwrite return addresses or other critical program state information. This overflow could potentially redirect program execution to malicious code injected by the attacker, effectively allowing complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects Sun Java Active Server Pages Server version 4.0.2 and earlier, making it crucial for organizations to assess their deployment of this software and implement immediate remediation measures. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments to protect against similar vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. The remediation approach should include upgrading to Sun Java Active Server Pages Server version 4.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this buffer overflow condition. Additionally, implementing input validation controls, address space layout randomization, and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to protect against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the system architecture.