CVE-2009-2301 in Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The radware AppWall Web Application Firewall (WAF) 1.0.2.6, with Gateway 4.6.0.2, allows remote attackers to read source code via a direct request to (1) funcs.inc, (2) defines.inc, or (3) msg.inc in Management/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2018
The CVE-2009-2301 vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw in the Radware AppWall Web Application Firewall version 1.0.2.6, specifically affecting the Gateway component at version 4.6.0.2. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the management interface of the WAF appliance, creating a path for remote attackers to directly access sensitive server-side include files that contain critical application logic and configuration data. The affected files funcs.inc, defines.inc, and msg.inc are part of the management console's backend infrastructure and typically contain functions, definitions, and message strings used for administrative operations. These files are not intended to be publicly accessible and should only be processed by the server's internal application logic rather than being served directly to external clients. The vulnerability manifests when attackers can construct direct HTTP requests to access these management files, which would normally be protected by authentication mechanisms and access control policies. This represents a fundamental flaw in the web application's security architecture where the boundary between internal administrative components and external-facing interfaces has been improperly enforced. The issue falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates how improper access control can lead to unauthorized data disclosure. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers can leverage this information to further compromise the system or craft more sophisticated attacks against the organization's infrastructure. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to obtain sensitive source code information that could reveal implementation details, function names, variable declarations, and potentially hardcoded credentials or configuration parameters that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. The exposure of these management files provides attackers with valuable intelligence about the internal structure and logic of the WAF system, potentially enabling them to craft more effective attacks against the appliance or identify additional vulnerabilities in the broader system architecture. Organizations using this version of Radware AppWall are particularly at risk since the vulnerability allows for complete information disclosure without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation tools. The attack vector is straightforward and requires no specialized knowledge beyond basic web application reconnaissance, as the vulnerability exists due to improper file access controls rather than complex exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms, particularly for administrative interfaces that may contain sensitive operational data. The lack of proper access controls in the management interface represents a failure to follow security best practices and could indicate broader architectural issues within the WAF's security model. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify misconfigurations that could expose sensitive system components to unauthorized access. Organizations should consider implementing additional network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only, while also ensuring that all administrative components are properly secured against direct access attempts. The remediation approach would involve implementing proper access controls to prevent direct file access, ensuring that management files are only accessible through legitimate administrative interfaces, and applying vendor-provided patches or updates that address this specific access control flaw.