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 multiple command injection vulnerabilities in Sun Microsystem's Java System Active Server Pages allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. These vulnerabilities exist within several ASP applications that execute shell commands. The problem lies in the fact that these applications do not filter or escape the parameters passed to these commands. By inserting shell meta-characters into an HTTP request, an attacker is able to execute arbitrary shell commands. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands with elevated privileges. Since this server runs with root privileges, an attacker could gain complete control of the affected the system. Note that authentication is required to reach these ASP applications via the administration server on TCP port 5100. However, several methods of bypassing and circumventing authentication have been discovered, rendering that requirement irrelevant. IV. DETECTION iDefense has confirmed the existence of these vulnerabilities within version 4.0.2 of Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java System Active Server Pages. Older versions are suspected to be vulnerable. V. WORKAROUND Removing the affected ASP applications from the system can prevent exploitation of these vulnerabilities. Additionally, using firewalls to limit access to the administration server (TCP port 5100) and the ASP application server (TCP port 5102) can help mitigate these issues. VI. VENDOR RESPONSE Sun Microsystems has addressed these vulnerabilities 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-2008-2405 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 One of these vulnerabilities was reported to iDefense by an anonymous researcher. Further research by Joshua J. Drake (iDefense Labs) uncovered an additional vulnerability. 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.