CVE-2021-48015 in JeeWMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
JeeWMS before commit 0a610e8 contains an unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability that allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the dbPath parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to /systemController/showOrDownByurl.do with ../ sequences in dbPath, which bypasses AuthInterceptor, to retrieve files like win.ini. Exploitation evidence was first observed by the Shadowserver Foundation on 2023-10-17.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The vulnerability identified in JeeWMS prior to commit 0a610e8 represents a critical unauthenticated path traversal flaw that compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying system files. This security defect is rooted in improper input validation within the application logic, specifically concerning how the dbPath parameter is processed by the server-side controller responsible for file operations. The core technical failure lies in the absence of rigorous sanitization or canonicalization checks on user-supplied path segments before they are used to construct filesystem access requests. By injecting directory traversal sequences such as ../ into the dbPath argument, an attacker can manipulate the intended file location, causing the application to resolve paths outside of its designated web root or secure directories. This mechanism effectively allows the remote execution of arbitrary read operations on the server's local file system, bypassing standard security boundaries that are typically enforced by web servers and framework configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its unauthenticated nature, which eliminates the need for valid credentials or session tokens to initiate an exploit. Attackers can leverage simple HTTP GET requests directed at the endpoint /systemController/showOrDownByurl.do to retrieve sensitive system files that may contain configuration details, database connection strings, source code snippets, or other proprietary information. The successful exploitation of this flaw was empirically verified through the retrieval of standard operating system files such as win.ini on Windows-based deployments, confirming that the path traversal logic functions correctly and can be used to exfiltrate data from various locations within the file hierarchy. This capability significantly expands the attack surface, potentially leading to further compromise if sensitive configuration files expose database credentials or internal network topology details that can be leveraged for lateral movement or deeper infiltration of the target environment.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which describes scenarios where software does not properly neutralize special elements within file names or paths that could cause files to be located outside of restricted directories. Furthermore, in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploitation technique maps directly to T1083: File and Directory Discovery, as it involves enumerating and accessing local system resources without authorization. The initial observation of active exploitation by the Shadowserver Foundation on October 17, 2023, indicates that this vulnerability is not merely theoretical but is being actively targeted in the wild, highlighting the urgency for remediation.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to version 0a610e8 or later, where the developers have presumably implemented proper input validation and path canonicalization checks. In addition to updating the software, administrators should enforce strict access controls on sensitive directories at the operating system level to limit the impact of any potential file read operations. Network-level defenses such as Web Application Firewalls can be configured to detect and block requests containing directory traversal patterns like ../ in query parameters or POST bodies, providing an additional layer of defense-in-depth. Continuous monitoring for anomalous HTTP traffic targeting this specific endpoint is also recommended to identify and respond to exploitation attempts before significant data loss occurs.