CVE-2020-36939 in Cassandra Web
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2026
Cassandra Web 0.5.0 contains a directory traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating path traversal parameters. Attackers can exploit the disabled Rack::Protection module to read sensitive system files like /etc/passwd and retrieve Apache Cassandra database credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36939 resides within Cassandra Web version 0.5.0, a web interface component designed to provide administrative access to Apache Cassandra database systems. This directory traversal flaw represents a critical security weakness that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the web application's file access controls. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate path traversal parameters within the application's request handling mechanism, enabling them to bypass normal file access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the underlying system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the disabled Rack::Protection module within the Cassandra Web application framework. This security mechanism typically provides essential protection against common web application attacks including directory traversal attempts, but has been intentionally disabled or misconfigured in this version. The absence of proper input validation and sanitization allows attackers to craft malicious requests containing sequences like ../ or ..\ that traverse the file system hierarchy. When the application processes these malformed path parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, resulting in the direct inclusion of user-supplied paths in file access operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it provides attackers with access to critical system information that can facilitate further exploitation attempts. Security researchers have demonstrated that unauthenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive system files including /etc/passwd, which contains user account information and potentially reveals the existence of system users. More critically, the vulnerability enables access to Apache Cassandra database credentials stored in configuration files, providing attackers with direct access to database resources without requiring authentication. This credential exposure represents a severe compromise that can lead to data exfiltration, database manipulation, and complete system compromise.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-770 Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling categories, representing both improper input validation and resource management issues. The attack pattern follows the techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can use this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system before proceeding with more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running Cassandra Web 0.5.0 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a critical authentication bypass that can be exploited remotely without requiring any valid credentials. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability especially dangerous in environments where the web interface is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to a patched version of Cassandra Web that properly implements input validation and re-enables the Rack::Protection module. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the Cassandra Web interface to trusted administrative networks only. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls to detect and block directory traversal attempts, implementing proper input validation at all application entry points, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar misconfigurations. System administrators should also review and restrict file access permissions for sensitive system files, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to the web interface, they cannot read critical system information through alternative means. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against such critical flaws.