CVE-2014-9302 in Community Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Server-side request forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the cmisbrowser servlet in Content Management Interoperability Service (CMIS) in Alfresco Community Edition 5.0.a and earlier allows remote attackers to trigger outbound requests via a crafted URI in the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2024
The CVE-2014-9302 vulnerability represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Content Management Interoperability Service (CMIS) implementation in Alfresco Community Edition versions 5.0.a and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the cmisbrowser servlet component that handles CMIS requests, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by crafting malicious URIs. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the url parameter, which is processed without proper restrictions on the destinations to which the application may make outbound connections. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially access internal network resources, bypass firewalls, and perform unauthorized data exfiltration or reconnaissance activities.
The technical exploitation of this SSRF vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted URI through the url parameter of the cmisbrowser servlet. The application processes this parameter without adequate validation, enabling the server to make outbound requests to arbitrary destinations specified by the attacker. This flaw can be leveraged to target internal systems that are normally not directly accessible from the internet, as the vulnerable Alfresco server acts as an intermediary. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without authentication, allowing threat actors to probe internal network configurations, access internal services, or even perform more sophisticated attacks such as internal port scanning or data theft from internal resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited for various malicious activities. Attackers can use this vulnerability to access internal databases, web services, or other networked systems that should remain isolated from external access. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers might gain access to sensitive administrative functions or data that would normally be protected by network segmentation. Organizations using vulnerable Alfresco installations face significant risks including unauthorized data access, potential system compromise, and exposure of sensitive corporate information that could be exploited for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9302 should focus on immediate patching of vulnerable Alfresco installations to versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization for the cmisbrowser servlet. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions such as firewall rules that prevent outbound connections from the Alfresco server to internal network segments, effectively limiting the potential damage of successful exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization within the application layer can prevent malicious URIs from being processed. Security controls should include monitoring for unusual outbound network connections and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious patterns in CMIS requests. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and network segmentation as defensive measures.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs, particularly those that may be used to construct network requests or URLs. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing practices that include automated scanning for SSRF vulnerabilities and manual penetration testing of web applications. Regular security updates and patch management programs are essential for maintaining protection against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2014-9302. The attack scenario also underscores the need for proper network architecture design that minimizes the attack surface of critical applications and implements appropriate access controls to prevent unauthorized internal network access.