CVE-2019-12395 in Dynmap
Summary
by MITRE
In Webbukkit Dynmap 3.0-beta-3, with Spigot 1.13.2, due to a missing login check in servlet/MapStorageHandler.java, an attacker can see a map image without login despite an enabled login-required setting.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12395 resides within the Webbukkit Dynmap 3.0-beta-3 software, specifically affecting deployments using Spigot 1.13.2. This represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of Minecraft server map visualization systems. The vulnerability manifests through a fundamental missing login check within the servlet component responsible for handling map storage operations, creating an unauthorized access vector that directly contradicts the intended security configuration of the application.
The technical implementation flaw occurs in the servlet/MapStorageHandler.java file where the application fails to validate user authentication status before serving map image content. This missing authentication check represents a classic security misconfiguration that falls under CWE-284 Access Control Bypass, where the system grants unauthorized access to protected resources despite security mechanisms being in place. The vulnerability specifically targets the login-required setting that administrators configure to protect sensitive map data, rendering this protection ineffective when the authentication validation is omitted from the map storage handler servlet.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive map information that may contain server topology, player locations, or other potentially exploitable data patterns. The implications are particularly severe for Minecraft servers that rely on dynmap for visual server representation, as map images often contain positional data that could be leveraged for social engineering attacks or server reconnaissance. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to enumerate and access protected resources through weakened access controls. The exposure affects any server administrator who has enabled the login-required setting expecting protection for their map data, creating a false sense of security that is easily exploited.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of authentication validation within the MapStorageHandler servlet component. Administrators should ensure that all access to map storage resources requires proper user authentication before content delivery occurs. The fix involves implementing proper session validation and authentication checks that verify user credentials before serving any map image data. Additionally, server administrators should review and test their security configurations to ensure that access control mechanisms are properly enforced across all application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of comprehensive security testing, particularly for web-based components that handle user authentication and access control. The remediation process should include thorough regression testing to ensure that the authentication check does not break legitimate map functionality while properly securing unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts, and regularly review their security configurations to prevent similar issues in other application components.