CVE-2013-3300 in Lift
Summary
by MITRE
The JsonParser class in json/JsonParser.scala in Lift before 2.5 interprets a certain end-index value as a length value, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information from other users sessions via invalid input data containing a < (less than) character.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3300 affects the Lift web framework version 2.5 and earlier, specifically within the JsonParser class located in json/JsonParser.scala. This flaw represents a critical security issue that stems from improper input validation and processing of JSON data structures. The vulnerability manifests when the JsonParser class incorrectly interprets an end-index value as a length value during JSON parsing operations, creating a condition where malformed input can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's session handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the JsonParser's handling of input data containing less than characters, which causes the parser to misinterpret the data structure and potentially expose session information from other users. This misinterpretation occurs during the parsing process where the application fails to properly validate the input boundaries, leading to a scenario where the end-index parameter is treated as a length indicator rather than a position marker. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that legitimate users with valid credentials can leverage this flaw to access sensitive session data belonging to other users within the same application context.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk of session hijacking and cross-user data exposure within Lift applications. The ability for authenticated users to obtain sensitive information from other users' sessions directly violates fundamental security principles of user isolation and data confidentiality. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, potential privilege escalation, and compromise of personal information stored within the application. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate application functionality to achieve unauthorized information disclosure, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-20, improper input validation, as the root cause involves inadequate validation of JSON input data. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment", when considering how attackers might craft malicious JSON payloads, and T1552.001, "Unsecured Credentials: Credentials in Files", when examining the potential exposure of session data. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078, "Valid Accounts", as it exploits legitimate authenticated access to perform unauthorized data access. Organizations using affected versions of Lift should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to version 2.5 or later, implementing proper input validation for JSON data, and conducting thorough security reviews of JSON processing components. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual JSON parsing activities, implementing application-level firewalls, and ensuring comprehensive session management practices that minimize the impact of such vulnerabilities.