CVE-2019-10241 in Jetty
Summary
by MITRE
In Eclipse Jetty version 9.2.26 and older, 9.3.25 and older, and 9.4.15 and older, the server is vulnerable to XSS conditions if a remote client USES a specially formatted URL against the DefaultServlet or ResourceHandler that is configured for showing a Listing of directory contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10241 affects multiple versions of the Eclipse Jetty web server software, specifically versions 9.2.26 and older, 9.3.25 and older, and 9.4.15 and older. This represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper handling of user-supplied input within the server's default servlet and resource handler components. The flaw manifests when the server processes specially crafted URLs that trigger directory listing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious script execution in the context of the victim's browser.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient sanitization of user-provided URL parameters when the DefaultServlet or ResourceHandler components are configured to display directory listings. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious URL containing specially formatted parameters, the server fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into the HTML response sent to the client. This allows attacker-controlled content to be injected directly into the web page, enabling the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of any user interacting with the vulnerable Jetty server. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, deface web pages, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the default configuration of the server, meaning that organizations using Jetty without specific security hardening measures are automatically exposed to this risk. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it a critical concern for any organization running affected versions of Jetty.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Eclipse Jetty, specifically versions 9.2.27, 9.3.26, or 9.4.16 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, particularly when configuring directory listing functionality. The mitigation strategy should include disabling directory listing where possible, implementing proper content security policies, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly escaped before being rendered in web responses. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploiting web application vulnerabilities to gain access to user sessions and execute malicious code within the browser context.