CVE-2014-0121 in Hawt.io
Summary
by MITRE
The admin terminal in Hawt.io does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the k parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0121 resides within the Hawt.io administrative terminal, a web-based management interface for Apache ActiveMQ and other Java-based applications. This flaw represents a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems utilizing this component. The vulnerability specifically affects the admin terminal functionality where the k parameter is processed without proper authentication checks, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers. The issue stems from the absence of proper access control mechanisms within the web application's administrative interface, allowing unauthorized users to bypass the standard authentication flow and directly interact with backend command execution capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the k parameter within the administrative terminal interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing an arbitrary value for the k parameter, the system processes this input without validating the user's authentication status. This design flaw enables remote code execution capabilities, as the k parameter appears to be processed as a command execution directive within the backend system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically targeting the absence of authentication checks for administrative functions. The attack vector is classified as remote and requires no prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for systems accessible over networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0121 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over affected systems. Remote code execution capabilities allow threat actors to install malware, modify system configurations, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations running Apache ActiveMQ, Fuse, or other Java-based systems that incorporate Hawt.io for management purposes. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations may have these interfaces exposed to external networks without proper network segmentation or additional security controls, creating widespread potential for exploitation across multiple systems.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the administrative terminal functionality when not actively needed, implementing proper network segmentation to restrict access to administrative interfaces, and applying authentication controls to ensure that all administrative functions require valid credentials. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access control mechanisms, particularly for administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious activity related to the k parameter in administrative interfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and remote code execution techniques, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass issues within other components of the system infrastructure, as this pattern of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural security weaknesses that require comprehensive remediation strategies.