CVE-2020-9495 in Archiva
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Archiva login service before 2.2.5 is vulnerable to LDAP injection. A attacker is able to retrieve user attribute data from the connected LDAP server by providing special values to the login form. With certain characters it is possible to modify the LDAP filter used to query the LDAP users. By measuring the response time for the login request, arbitrary attribute data can be retrieved from LDAP user objects.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2020
Apache Archiva version 2.2.5 and earlier contains a critical ldap injection vulnerability that allows attackers to extract sensitive user attribute data from connected ldap servers through the login service. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the authentication mechanism, enabling malicious actors to manipulate ldap query filters by submitting specially crafted values in the login form fields. The flaw operates by exploiting the way the application constructs ldap search filters during authentication attempts, where user-provided credentials are directly incorporated into ldap query strings without proper escaping or sanitization. Attackers can leverage specific characters and syntax patterns to modify the intended ldap filter structure, potentially allowing them to bypass authentication or extract additional user information from the ldap directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform time-based blind ldap injection attacks, where they measure response times from the login service to infer the presence of specific attribute values within ldap user objects. This timing-based approach allows for the extraction of arbitrary attribute data from ldap user entries without requiring direct access to the ldap server itself. The vulnerability specifically targets the ldap authentication module within Archiva's login service, where the application constructs ldap search filters using user input without proper parameterization or input validation. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the ldap query structure and potentially access sensitive user information such as email addresses, full names, department information, or other attributes stored within the ldap directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather comprehensive user profiles from the ldap directory, potentially facilitating further attacks such as credential stuffing, social engineering campaigns, or targeted phishing attempts. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can systematically extract user attribute data by crafting specific login requests that manipulate the ldap filter structure, allowing them to enumerate users and their associated attributes. This type of attack is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where ldap directories often contain sensitive organizational information, and the extracted data can be used to build detailed user profiles for more sophisticated attack vectors. The vulnerability affects organizations using Apache Archiva versions prior to 2.2.5, making it a widespread concern for enterprises that have not yet applied the necessary security patches.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Apache Archiva version 2.2.5 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and parameterization of ldap queries within the authentication service. The recommended mitigation strategy includes not only patching the application but also implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the Archiva service, monitoring login attempts for suspicious patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of ldap integration points. Security teams should also consider implementing additional controls such as rate limiting on authentication attempts and logging mechanisms that can detect unusual query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-91 and CWE-77 respectively, representing ldap injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Organizations should also review their ldap server configurations to ensure that unnecessary user attributes are not exposed through the authentication service and implement proper access controls on ldap directory objects to minimize the impact of successful exploitation attempts.