CVE-2009-1934 in Java System Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Reverse Proxy Plug-in in Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 before SP11 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the query string in situations that result in a 502 Gateway error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1934 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness within the Reverse Proxy Plug-in of Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 prior to Service Pack 11. This security flaw resides in the server's handling of query strings during 502 Gateway error conditions, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected web applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes requests through its reverse proxy functionality and encounters gateway errors, providing attackers with an opportunity to inject malicious payloads that can be executed by unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the reverse proxy module's error handling mechanisms. When the server encounters a 502 error condition during proxy operations, it processes the query string parameters without sufficient sanitization, allowing attacker-controlled input to be reflected back to users in error messages or response pages. This occurs because the server's reverse proxy plug-in fails to properly escape or filter special characters from query parameters before including them in error responses, creating a classic reflected XSS vector that can be exploited across different client contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The reverse proxy functionality makes this particularly dangerous since it often operates in environments where users trust the proxy server to handle requests securely, making the attack surface broader than typical XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects organizations using Sun Java System Web Server 6.1 without SP11 updates, potentially compromising web applications that rely on this server for proxy operations and user authentication.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the prevalence of web applications using reverse proxy configurations. The mitigation strategy should include applying Sun's official service pack 11 update that resolves the input validation issues in the reverse proxy module. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures at the application level and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious query parameters can provide additional defense layers. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their reverse proxy configurations to identify any other potential injection points and ensure that all web server components are running the latest security patches. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern for attackers following the ATT&CK framework's web application exploitation techniques, particularly those targeting server-side components that handle user input through proxy mechanisms.