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.

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X. LEGAL NOTICES

Copyright © 2008 iDefense, Inc.

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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
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