CVE-2014-2857 in Grails-resources
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of the Resources plugin 1.0.0 before 1.2.6 for Pivotal Grails 2.0.0 through 2.3.6 does not properly restrict access to files in the META-INF directory, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request. NOTE: this issue was SPLIT from CVE-2014-0053 due to different researchers per ADT5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2857 represents a critical access control flaw within the Resources plugin version 1.0.0 through 1.2.5 for Pivotal Grails frameworks. This issue stems from improper file access restrictions in the META-INF directory, which serves as a crucial repository for metadata and configuration files within grails applications. The vulnerability affects Grails versions ranging from 2.0.0 through 2.3.6, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive application components. The flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly validate and restrict access to resources within the META-INF directory, which typically contains security-related information and application metadata that should remain protected from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's default configuration failing to enforce proper access controls on files located within the META-INF directory structure. This directory typically houses jar manifest files, security policy files, and other metadata that could contain sensitive information about the application's configuration, dependencies, and security settings. When remote attackers can directly request files from this directory without proper authentication or authorization checks, they gain access to potentially sensitive information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the resource management functionality of the grails framework, where the plugin should enforce strict access controls but fails to do so. This misconfiguration creates a path for information disclosure attacks that align with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree model.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2857 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed files in the META-INF directory may contain sensitive configuration details, version information, and dependency data that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target application, including framework versions, installed plugins, and potential security weaknesses. The exposure of such information creates opportunities for privilege escalation, denial of service attacks, and can serve as a foundation for more advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using grails applications in production environments where security is paramount, as the information disclosure could enable attackers to bypass security controls and gain deeper access to the application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2857 involve immediate patching of the affected Resources plugin to version 1.2.6 or later, which addresses the improper access control implementation. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent direct access to META-INF directories and ensure proper application-level access controls are enforced. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1213 for data from information repositories, representing a clear information gathering attack vector. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of their grails applications to identify other potential misconfigurations and implement proper file access controls across all application components. Additionally, organizations should establish regular security scanning processes to detect similar misconfigurations and ensure that default configurations do not expose sensitive information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper configuration management and access control implementation in web application frameworks, particularly those with plugin architectures where default settings may create security risks.