CVE-2019-9827 in Hawtio
Summary
by MITRE
Hawt Hawtio through 2.5.0 is vulnerable to SSRF, allowing a remote attacker to trigger an HTTP request from an affected server to an arbitrary host via the initial /proxy/ substring of a URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9827 affects Hawtio versions 2.5.0 and earlier, representing a significant server-side request forgery flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's proxy functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the URI handling mechanism, specifically when processing requests that begin with the /proxy/ path segment. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the target host parameter that follows the initial proxy endpoint, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to redirect requests to internal or external systems without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to construct malicious URIs that exploit the proxy functionality to make HTTP requests to arbitrary destinations. When a user accesses a URI containing the /proxy/ prefix followed by a target URL, the application processes this request without sufficient validation of the destination parameter. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be leveraged to bypass network security controls, potentially enabling access to internal services that would normally be restricted from external access. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-918, which describes server-side request forgery vulnerabilities where an attacker can manipulate server-side requests to target unintended destinations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal networks, access sensitive internal services, or even facilitate further attacks through the exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the internal infrastructure. An attacker could potentially use this vulnerability to scan internal network ranges, access internal web applications, or target other vulnerable services that might be running on the same network segment as the affected hawtio instance. The attack surface is particularly concerning because hawtio is commonly used for monitoring and managing application servers, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to gain deeper access to enterprise environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the proxy functionality, implementing strict input validation for all proxy URI parameters, and configuring network-level firewalls to prevent outbound connections from the affected systems to internal network segments. The solution should align with security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling, where the vulnerability represents an uncontrolled proxy that enables lateral movement and data exfiltration. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring of proxy request patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include upgrading to a patched version of hawtio where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms.