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 a file creation vulnerability in Sun Microsystem's Java System Active Server Pages allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. The vulnerability exists within a file included by several ASP applications. This file provides a function that will write the contents contained within its first parameter to a file specified by its second parameter. Several ASP applications allow an attacker to control both the content and the location of the file written. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows an attacker to create, or append to, arbitrary files on the system with root privileges. No authentication is required to reach the affected ASP applications. The attacker only needs to be able to establish a session with the administration server on TCP port 5100. 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 Additionally, removing the affected ASP applications will prevent exploitation. 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-2008-2401 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 04/04/2007 Initial vendor notification 04/05/2007 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.