CVE-2014-0033 in Secure Global Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
org/apache/catalina/connector/CoyoteAdapter.java in Apache Tomcat 6.0.33 through 6.0.37 does not consider the disableURLRewriting setting when handling a session ID in a URL, which allows remote attackers to conduct session fixation attacks via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0033 resides within the Apache Tomcat web server software, specifically in the CoyoteAdapter.java component that handles HTTP request processing. This flaw affects versions 6.0.33 through 6.0.37 of the Tomcat application server, representing a critical security weakness that undermines session management mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of session identifiers within URLs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit session fixation attacks. The issue manifests when the application server fails to respect the disableURLRewriting configuration setting, which should prevent session IDs from being embedded in URLs when session rewriting is disabled.
The technical flaw occurs at the protocol adapter level where Tomcat processes incoming HTTP requests containing session identifiers in URL parameters. When disableURLRewriting is properly configured to true, the server should prevent session IDs from being appended to URLs to avoid session hijacking risks. However, the CoyoteAdapter.java implementation does not properly check this configuration setting before processing session IDs found in URL paths. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious URLs containing specific session identifiers that can be used to fixate sessions, effectively taking control of user sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management layer where URL-based session tracking is improperly handled despite explicit configuration directives.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to conduct session fixation attacks without requiring any authentication credentials or complex exploitation techniques. An attacker can force a victim to use a known session ID by crafting a URL with a specific session parameter, then later hijack that session once the victim authenticates. This creates a direct path to unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive application data. The vulnerability affects all applications running on the affected Tomcat versions regardless of their security configurations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where session management is critical. The attack vector is straightforward and can be executed through simple web browser navigation, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Security professionals should immediately implement the recommended mitigations to address this vulnerability, starting with upgrading to Apache Tomcat versions 6.0.38 or later where the issue has been resolved. Organizations should also review their session management configurations to ensure that disableURLRewriting is properly set to true in web.xml files, preventing URL-based session tracking entirely. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper session handling mechanisms such as secure cookie attributes, session timeout configurations, and regular session validation checks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate session management, and represents a technique commonly used in the ATT&CK framework under the Session Management category. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL patterns containing session identifiers, and application firewalls should be configured to block such requests. Organizations should also conduct security audits to identify any applications still running vulnerable versions of Tomcat and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.