CVE-2015-3198 in WildFly
Summary
by MITRE
The Undertow module of WildFly 9.x before 9.0.0.CR2 and 10.x before 10.0.0.Alpha1 allows remote attackers to obtain the source code of a JSP page via a "/" at the end of a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3198 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Undertow web server module that powers WildFly application servers. This vulnerability affects WildFly versions 9.x prior to 9.0.0.CR2 and 10.x prior to 10.0.0.Alpha1, where the web server fails to properly handle URL requests containing trailing forward slashes. The flaw specifically manifests when attackers append a forward slash character to the end of a URL pointing to a JSP page, enabling them to access the underlying source code of the page rather than executing it as intended. This represents a significant security risk as JSP source code often contains sensitive application logic, database connection strings, and other proprietary information that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper URL path handling within the Undertow module's request processing pipeline. When a URL with a trailing slash is processed, the web server incorrectly interprets the request and fails to properly resolve the resource path, leading to the exposure of the raw JSP source code instead of executing it through the servlet container. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of web application architecture and demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and resource access control. The vulnerability operates at the HTTP request level and leverages the web server's inability to distinguish between legitimate resource access patterns and malicious attempts to bypass normal execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive insights into the target application's implementation details. Access to JSP source code exposes sensitive implementation logic, database connection parameters, and potentially hard-coded credentials that could be exploited in subsequent attacks. This information disclosure creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and further exploitation of the application. The vulnerability affects organizations running affected WildFly versions and could lead to compliance violations, regulatory penalties, and significant reputational damage when exploited in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-3198 focus primarily on upgrading to patched versions of WildFly where the Undertow module properly handles URL path resolution. Organizations should immediately apply the security patches released by Red Hat for WildFly 9.0.0.CR2 and 10.0.0.Alpha1, which address the improper path handling behavior. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and URL filtering rules can provide temporary defense while upgrades are pending. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual URL patterns with trailing slashes, particularly when accessing JSP resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms to prevent similar path traversal issues in other components of their web infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper web server configuration and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of application server components against common attack patterns.