CVE-2008-2405 in Java Active Server Pages
Summary
by MITRE
Sun Java Active Server Pages (ASP) Server before 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in HTTP requests to unspecified ASP applications.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2019
Sun Java Active Server Pages ASP server versions prior to 4.0.3 contain a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ASP application processing pipeline, where user-supplied data containing shell metacharacters is directly passed to system execution functions without proper escaping or filtering. The flaw exists in the server's handling of HTTP requests that are processed by ASP applications, creating an attack surface where malicious payloads can be injected and executed with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of unsafe command execution patterns within the Java ASP framework. When the server receives HTTP requests containing specially crafted parameters or headers that include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or pipe characters, these inputs are not properly sanitized before being used in system command invocations. This creates a classic command injection scenario where attacker-controlled data flows directly into shell execution contexts, allowing for arbitrary code execution on the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web traffic without requiring authentication or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations running legacy Java ASP applications across various deployment scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations may experience service disruption, unauthorized data access, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the sensitive nature of the compromised systems and data.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability center around immediate patching of affected Sun Java ASP server installations to version 4.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to ASP applications to trusted sources only, while web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious command injection patterns in HTTP requests. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels including application code, proxy servers, and network devices to ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring and logging of web application traffic to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual command execution patterns and shell metacharacter usage. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories related to command injection and improper input sanitization, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1190 for exploit public-facing application.