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 buffer overflow vulnerability in Sun Microsystem's Java System Active Server Pages allows attackers to execute arbitrary code in the context of the ASP server. The vulnerability exists within the request handling code within the ASP server. An attacker supplied string is copied into a fixed size stack buffer without first validating that there is sufficient space available. By supplying a specially crafted request, an attacker can cause a stack-based buffer overflow. III. ANALYSIS Exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the ASP server. This vulnerability can be reached from a normal web server, usually on TCP port 80, configured to pass requests for ASP applications through the ASP server. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. If this service is configured to run with root privileges it is possible to gain complete control over the affected system. 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 iDefense is currently unaware of any effective workaround for this issue. However, configuring the ASP server to run with reduced privileges can help prevent a complete compromise. This can be accomplished via the "Inherit user security" setting or setting a user and group to run with when using the "Defined user security" mode. 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-2008-2404 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@xxxxxxxxxxxx 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.
