CVE-2022-44784 in Appalti & Contratti
Summary
by MITRE • 11/22/2022
An issue was discovered in Appalti & Contratti 9.12.2. The target web applications LFS and DL229 expose a set of services provided by the Axis 1.4 instance, embedded directly into the applications, as hinted by the WEB-INF/web.xml file leaked through Local File Inclusion. Among the exposed services, there is the Axis AdminService, which, through the default configuration, should normally be accessible only by the localhost. Nevertheless, by trying to access the mentioned service, both in LFS and DL229, the service can actually be reached even by remote users, allowing creation of arbitrary services on the server side. When an attacker can reach the AdminService, they can use it to instantiate arbitrary services on the server. The exploit procedure is well known and described in Generic AXIS-SSRF exploitation. Basically, the attack consists of writing a JSP page inside the root directory of the web application, through the org.apache.axis.handlers.LogHandler class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-44784 represents a critical security flaw in Appalti & Contratti version 9.12.2, specifically affecting the embedded Axis 1.4 web services framework. This issue stems from improper access control configuration within the application's web infrastructure, where the Axis AdminService intended to operate exclusively within localhost boundaries is inadvertently exposed to remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests through the leakage of configuration files via Local File Inclusion (LFI) mechanisms, as evidenced by the WEB-INF/web.xml file that reveals the underlying service structure. The Axis 1.4 framework, when improperly configured, fails to enforce proper network boundary checks, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote access to administrative functionalities that should remain restricted to local system operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the default insecure configuration of the Axis AdminService, which normally should only accept connections from localhost addresses. However, in the affected applications LFS and DL229, this restriction is bypassed, allowing remote attackers to interact with the service directly. The core flaw resides in the service's accessibility model where network access controls are not properly enforced, enabling remote execution of administrative commands. Attackers can utilize the exposed AdminService to instantiate arbitrary services on the target server through a well-documented exploitation technique involving the LogHandler class. This particular attack vector follows established patterns described in generic AXIS-SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) exploitation methods, where malicious actors can write JSP pages directly to the web application's root directory, effectively enabling remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent backdoors and execute arbitrary code within the application's context. The exploitation process involves leveraging the LogHandler class to create malicious JSP files in the web root, which can then be executed by the application server to deliver payloads. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Server-side Injection and represents a significant risk to application integrity and data confidentiality. The vulnerability essentially transforms the target application from a legitimate business tool into a potential command and control server, where attackers can establish persistent access and execute malicious operations. The exposure affects not only the immediate application but potentially the entire underlying server infrastructure, as the Axis framework operates with the privileges of the web application container. This represents a direct violation of security principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in application security configuration management.
The security implications of CVE-2022-44784 can be categorized under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) as the vulnerability allows for both unauthorized access to administrative functions and arbitrary code execution. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Appalti & Contratti should immediately implement network-level access controls to restrict access to the Axis AdminService, disable unnecessary services, and ensure proper authentication mechanisms are in place. The recommended mitigations include configuring proper firewall rules to restrict access to administrative endpoints, implementing network segmentation to isolate critical services, and conducting thorough security audits of embedded frameworks. Additionally, the application should be updated to versions that properly enforce access controls, and regular security assessments should be performed to identify similar misconfigurations in other embedded components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper service isolation and access control enforcement in enterprise web applications, particularly when dealing with embedded frameworks that may contain default configurations that are inherently insecure.