CVE-2019-0227 in Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
Summary
by MITRE
A Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability affected the Apache Axis 1.4 distribution that was last released in 2006. Security and bug commits commits continue in the projects Axis 1.x Subversion repository, legacy users are encouraged to build from source. The successor to Axis 1.x is Axis2, the latest version is 1.7.9 and is not vulnerable to this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The CVE-2019-0227 vulnerability represents a critical server side request forgery flaw discovered in the Apache Axis 1.4 web services framework, an outdated distribution that had not received active maintenance since 2006. This vulnerability specifically affects systems running legacy Axis 1.x implementations that have not been upgraded to the newer Axis2 framework, creating a significant security risk for organizations maintaining outdated web service infrastructures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of remote resource requests within the Axis 1.4 codebase, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the system into making unauthorized requests to internal or external resources.
The technical implementation of this SSRF vulnerability occurs when the Axis 1.4 framework processes incoming web service requests that contain maliciously crafted parameters or URLs. The framework fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct requests to remote servers, enabling attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access internal network resources that should be protected from external access. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various means including malformed SOAP requests, parameter manipulation, or direct URL injection attacks, making it particularly dangerous for systems that process untrusted input from remote clients.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-0227 extends beyond simple data exfiltration or unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure, access sensitive internal services, or even facilitate further attacks through the exploitation of other vulnerabilities. Organizations using legacy Axis 1.4 systems face the risk of internal network enumeration, where attackers can discover and map internal services, databases, or other resources that should remain isolated from external exposure. This vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data breaches, particularly when combined with other vulnerabilities present in legacy systems.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to Apache Axis2 version 1.7.9 or later, which has been designed with improved input validation and security controls that prevent the exploitation of SSRF vectors. Organizations maintaining legacy systems should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while also considering the deployment of web application firewalls or proxy services that can filter and validate incoming requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security testing and vulnerability management processes. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all remaining Axis 1.4 installations and establish a timeline for complete migration to supported frameworks, as continued use of this legacy software exposes systems to additional undiscovered vulnerabilities that may be exploited in the future.