CVE-2009-0038 in Geronimo
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the web administration console in Apache Geronimo Application Server 2.1 through 2.1.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) name, (2) ip, (3) username, or (4) description parameter to console/portal/Server/Monitoring; or (5) the PATH_INFO to the default URI under console/portal/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2009-0038 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in Apache Geronimo Application Server versions 2.1 through 2.1.3, specifically affecting the web administration console interface. This flaw resides within the server monitoring functionality where user-supplied input parameters are inadequately sanitized before being rendered back to web clients. The vulnerability impacts multiple input vectors including name, ip, username, and description fields within the Server/Monitoring endpoint, as well as the PATH_INFO parameter of the default URI under console/portal/. This represents a classic XSS vulnerability that falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious script code through any of the affected parameters in the administration console. When the server processes these inputs and displays them in the web interface without proper sanitization or output encoding, the embedded scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can establish malicious sessions, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the administration console typically contains sensitive operational data and control mechanisms that could be leveraged for further compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Geronimo application server environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially escalate their privileges, access administrative functions, or gain unauthorized control over server operations. The vulnerability affects the server monitoring functionality which is often used by administrators to track system performance, manage resources, and monitor security events, making it a prime target for exploitation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries can execute malicious code through web interfaces. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to the principle of least privilege, as unauthorized users could potentially access administrative capabilities through the compromised console interface.
Organizations utilizing affected Apache Geronimo versions should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data in the administration console. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes potentially malicious input before processing, combined with proper HTML encoding of all output data to prevent script execution. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and security headers to provide additional protection layers. The remediation strategy should include upgrading to patched versions of Apache Geronimo, as version 2.1.4 and later contain fixes for this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to the administration console, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential impact of exploitation can be severe.