CVE-2018-14925 in Matera Banco
Summary
by MITRE
Matera Banco 1.0.0 mishandles Java errors in the backend, as demonstrated by a stack trace revealing use of net.sf.acegisecurity components.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
CVE-2018-14925 represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability within Matera Banco version 1.0.0 that stems from improper error handling mechanisms in the Java backend infrastructure. This vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly manage Java exceptions and runtime errors, leading to the exposure of sensitive stack trace information that reveals underlying system components and architectural details. The specific manifestation involves the use of net.sf.acegisecurity components, which are legacy security frameworks that have been deprecated and pose significant security risks when improperly implemented or exposed.
The technical flaw resides in the application's error handling routine where uncaught exceptions are not properly sanitized before being returned to client systems or logged in a manner that could expose internal system architecture. This improper error management creates a path for attackers to gain insights into the application's backend components, including the specific security libraries being utilized such as Acegi Security. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-209, which addresses the improper handling of exceptions that may reveal sensitive information to unauthorized parties. The exposure of stack traces containing net.sf.acegisecurity references provides attackers with crucial intelligence about the application's security infrastructure and potentially reveals outdated or vulnerable components that may have known exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates an attack surface that can be leveraged by threat actors to plan more sophisticated attacks against the system. When attackers can observe stack traces revealing the use of deprecated security frameworks like Acegi, they can potentially identify additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's security architecture. This information disclosure can enable attackers to craft targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities in the Acegi framework or to exploit the specific implementation patterns that may have been used in the application's security layer. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly the failure to properly handle errors and the presence of sensitive information exposure in error messages. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for reconnaissance activities that can be automated and scaled across multiple systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize all exception information before it is logged or returned to users. Organizations should replace deprecated security frameworks like Acegi with modern alternatives such as Spring Security, which provides better security practices and more robust error handling. The implementation of centralized logging systems with proper log sanitization procedures can prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error messages. Additionally, configuring the application to return generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information internally helps maintain security while preserving diagnostic capabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege in error handling and demonstrates the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate deprecated components that may introduce vulnerabilities. The remediation efforts should also include comprehensive testing of error handling routines to ensure that no sensitive information is exposed through stack traces or error messages.