CVE-2008-6528 in JEUS
Summary
by MITRE
NTFS TmaxSoft JEUS 5 before Fix 26 allows remote attackers to read the source code for scripts by appending ::$DATA to the URL, which accesses the alternate data stream.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6528 affects TmaxSoft JEUS 5 versions prior to Fix 26 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the NTFS file system implementation. This vulnerability exploits the underlying Windows file system's alternate data streams feature, which allows multiple data streams to coexist within a single file. When an attacker appends ::$DATA to a URL path, they can access the alternate data stream of files, potentially exposing sensitive script source code that was not intended to be publicly accessible.
This technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the JEUS web application server. The vulnerability specifically targets the NTFS file system's capability to store additional data streams alongside primary file content, where the ::$DATA suffix is a standard Windows NTFS mechanism for accessing these alternate streams. The issue demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper file system access controls that should prevent unauthorized access to file metadata and alternative data streams. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness where information is disclosed to unauthorized actors, while the attack pattern aligns with CWE-1209 which covers improper access to alternate data streams.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations running affected JEUS versions, as it enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive source code information that may contain database credentials, business logic, application architecture details, and other confidential implementation aspects. This exposure creates a substantial risk for attackers who can use the retrieved source code to develop more sophisticated attacks, identify additional vulnerabilities, or reverse engineer application functionality. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are accessible over networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available Fix 26 from TmaxSoft, which addresses the specific access control vulnerability in the NTFS file system handling. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the JEUS server to trusted networks only, while implementing proper input validation to prevent URL manipulation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other applications or systems that may be vulnerable to similar alternate data stream access patterns, as this vulnerability type can potentially affect other web servers or applications that do not properly sanitize file system access requests. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through file system manipulation, where adversaries leverage system-level features to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's security boundaries.