CVE-2020-19155 in Jfinal
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2021
Improper Access Control in Jfinal CMS v4.7.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information and/or execute arbitrary code via the 'FileManager.rename()' function in the component 'modules/filemanager/FileManagerController.java'.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-19155 represents a critical improper access control flaw within Jfinal CMS version 4.7.1 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides in the file management component of the application, specifically within the FileManagerController.java file where the FileManager.rename() function operates without adequate authorization checks. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit this weakness and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information while potentially executing arbitrary code on the affected server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly verify user credentials or privileges before permitting file renaming operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper authentication and authorization controls within the file management subsystem. When the FileManager.rename() function processes requests, it fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform renaming operations on specific files or directories. This absence of access control validation creates a path for malicious actors to manipulate file system operations remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, file corruption, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Jfinal CMS versions up to 4.7.1. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive files, modify critical system components, or execute malicious code with the privileges of the web application. The potential for data exfiltration increases substantially as attackers can traverse file systems and access confidential information stored within the CMS. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary code creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors, deploy additional malware, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the arbitrary code execution capability to establish persistence.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to Jfinal CMS version 4.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to resolve the access control issues. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper firewall rules to restrict access to the file management endpoints, particularly when these components are not essential for public-facing applications. The implementation of strong authentication mechanisms and role-based access controls should be enforced to ensure that only authorized personnel can perform file management operations. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses within the application infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable file manager functionality, as this approach can provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts.