CVE-2023-41544 in jeecg-boot
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2023
SSTI injection vulnerability in jeecg-boot version 3.5.3, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted HTTP request to the /jmreport/loadTableData component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2024
The CVE-2023-41544 vulnerability represents a critical server-side template injection flaw discovered in the jeecg-boot framework version 3.5.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the /jmreport/loadTableData endpoint, which serves as a reporting component within the application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before processing it through template rendering engines. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that inject template syntax into the reporting component, potentially enabling full remote code execution on the affected server. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic pattern of insufficient output escaping and improper template parameter handling that has been documented in various security frameworks and standards.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are directly fed into template processing functions. When the /jmreport/loadTableData component receives crafted requests, it fails to validate or sanitize the template expressions contained within the request parameters. This allows attackers to inject template syntax such as {{<%=%>}} or other template delimiters that are interpreted by the underlying template engine. The vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which categorizes improper control of generation of code, and specifically relates to server-side template injection attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1059.001 for command and script injection, where the attack leverages template processing to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The template engine used in jeecg-boot likely supports expression evaluation that enables attackers to access system resources, execute shell commands, or retrieve sensitive data through the injected template code.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41544 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach potential. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system, potentially leading to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and persistent access within the network. Organizations using jeecg-boot 3.5.3 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a critical security flaw in their reporting infrastructure that could be exploited without authentication. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify database contents, or establish backdoor access points. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects a reporting component that may be accessible to various user roles, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges through the exploitation of administrative functions or by accessing sensitive data through the reporting interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41544 should focus on immediate patching and implementation of input validation controls. Organizations must upgrade to jeecg-boot versions that address this vulnerability, as the maintainers have likely released security patches to remediate the template injection flaw. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures at the application level can prevent malicious template expressions from being processed. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block requests containing template injection patterns. The implementation of least privilege principles for the reporting component and regular security monitoring of template processing functions can further reduce the exploitation risk. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar template injection vulnerabilities in other components and establish proper template engine configurations that disable dangerous expression evaluation features. Organizations should consider implementing application-level logging and monitoring for template processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for forensic analysis.