iDefense Security Advisory 06.03.08 http://labs.idefense.com/intelligence/vulnerabilities/ Jun 03, 2008 I. BACKGROUND Sun Java System Active Server Pages is a multi-platform ASP application server. It provides provides ASP (Active Server Pages) functionality to a web server. More information is available at the following URL. http://www.sun.com/software/chilisoft/index.xml II. DESCRIPTION Remote exploitation of design error in Sun Microsystem's Java System Active Server Pages allows attackers to bypass administration server authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability exists due to improper design of the ASP application server. The administration application server exists as a stand-alone service that listens on TCP port 5102. By connecting directly to this service and making requests, attackers are able to bypass authentication mechanisms introduce by the administration HTTP server. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows an attacker to bypass authentication restrictions imposed by the HTTP server. No authentication is required to communicate with the affected administration application server. The attacker only needs to be able to establish a session with the administration application server on TCP port 5102. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed the existence of this vulnerability within version 4.0.2 of Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java System Active Server Pages. Older versions are suspected to be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND In order to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability, disable administration server by executing the following command as the 'root' user. # /opt/casp/admtool -e VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Sun Microsystems has addressed this vulnerability with the release of version 4.0.3 of Sun Java System Active Server Pages. For more information, refer to Sun Alert 238184 at the following URL. http://sunsolve.sun.com/search/document.do?assetkey=1-66-238184-1 VII. CVE INFORMATION The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project has assigned the name CVE-2008-2406 to this issue. This is a candidate for inclusion in the CVE list (http://cve.mitre.org/), which standardizes names for security problems. VIII. DISCLOSURE TIMELINE 05/11/2007 Initial vendor notification 05/11/2007 Initial vendor response 06/03/2008 Coordinated public disclosure IX. CREDIT The discoverer of this vulnerability wishes to remain anonymous. Get paid for vulnerability research http://labs.idefense.com/methodology/vulnerability/vcp.php Free tools, research and upcoming events http://labs.idefense.com/ X. LEGAL NOTICES Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc. Permission is granted for the redistribution of this alert electronically. It may not be edited in any way without the express written consent of iDefense. If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this alert in any other medium other than electronically, please e-mail customerservice_at_idefense.com for permission. Disclaimer: The information in the advisory is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing based on currently available information. Use of the information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are no warranties with regard to this information. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage arising from use of, or reliance on, this information.