Vulnerabilities > CVE-2008-5518 - Path Traversal vulnerability in Apache Geronimo

047910
CVSS 9.4 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
COMPLETE
Integrity impact
COMPLETE
Availability impact
NONE
network
low complexity
apache
microsoft
CWE-22
critical
nessus
exploit available
NVD
Published: 2009-04-17
Updated: 2018-10-11

Summary

Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the web administration console in Apache Geronimo Application Server 2.1 through 2.1.3 on Windows allow remote attackers to upload files to arbitrary directories via directory traversal sequences in the (1) group, (2) artifact, (3) version, or (4) fileType parameter to console/portal//Services/Repository (aka the Services/Repository portlet); the (5) createDB parameter to console/portal/Embedded DB/DB Manager (aka the Embedded DB/DB Manager portlet); or the (6) filename parameter to the createKeystore script in the Security/Keystores portlet.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Apache
4
OS
Microsoft
1

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Relative Path Traversal
    An attacker exploits a weakness in input validation on the target by supplying a specially constructed path utilizing dot and slash characters for the purpose of obtaining access to arbitrary files or resources. An attacker modifies a known path on the target in order to reach material that is not available through intended channels. These attacks normally involve adding additional path separators (/ or \) and/or dots (.), or encodings thereof, in various combinations in order to reach parent directories or entirely separate trees of the target's directory structure.
  • Directory Traversal
    An attacker with access to file system resources, either directly or via application logic, will use various file path specification or navigation mechanisms such as ".." in path strings and absolute paths to extend their range of access to inappropriate areas of the file system. The attacker attempts to either explore the file system for recon purposes or access directories and files that are intended to be restricted from their access. Exploring the file system can be achieved through constructing paths presented to directory listing programs, such as "ls" and 'dir', or through specially crafted programs that attempt to explore the file system. The attacker engaging in this type of activity is searching for information that can be used later in a more exploitive attack. Access to restricted directories or files can be achieved through modification of path references utilized by system applications.
  • File System Function Injection, Content Based
    An attack of this type exploits the host's trust in executing remote content including binary files. The files are poisoned with a malicious payload (targeting the file systems accessible by the target software) by the attacker and may be passed through standard channels such as via email, and standard web content like PDF and multimedia files. The attacker exploits known vulnerabilities or handling routines in the target processes. Vulnerabilities of this type have been found in a wide variety of commercial applications from Microsoft Office to Adobe Acrobat and Apple Safari web browser. When the attacker knows the standard handling routines and can identify vulnerabilities and entry points they can be exploited by otherwise seemingly normal content. Once the attack is executed, the attackers' program can access relative directories such as C:\Program Files or other standard system directories to launch further attacks. In a worst case scenario, these programs are combined with other propagation logic and work as a virus.
  • Using Slashes and URL Encoding Combined to Bypass Validation Logic
    This attack targets the encoding of the URL combined with the encoding of the slash characters. An attacker can take advantage of the multiple way of encoding an URL and abuse the interpretation of the URL. An URL may contain special character that need special syntax handling in order to be interpreted. Special characters are represented using a percentage character followed by two digits representing the octet code of the original character (%HEX-CODE). For instance US-ASCII space character would be represented with %20. This is often referred as escaped ending or percent-encoding. Since the server decodes the URL from the requests, it may restrict the access to some URL paths by validating and filtering out the URL requests it received. An attacker will try to craft an URL with a sequence of special characters which once interpreted by the server will be equivalent to a forbidden URL. It can be difficult to protect against this attack since the URL can contain other format of encoding such as UTF-8 encoding, Unicode-encoding, etc.
  • Manipulating Input to File System Calls
    An attacker manipulates inputs to the target software which the target software passes to file system calls in the OS. The goal is to gain access to, and perhaps modify, areas of the file system that the target software did not intend to be accessible.

Exploit-Db

descriptionApache Geronimo <= 2.1.3 Multiple Directory Traversal Vulnerabilities. CVE-2008-5518. Remote exploits for multiple platform
fileexploits/multiple/remote/8458.txt
idEDB-ID:8458
last seen2016-02-01
modified2009-04-16
platformmultiple
port
published2009-04-16
reporterDSecRG
sourcehttps://www.exploit-db.com/download/8458/
titleApache Geronimo <= 2.1.3 - Multiple Directory Traversal Vulnerabilities
typeremote

Nessus

  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idSUSE_11_WEBSPHERE-AS_CE-090619.NASL
    descriptionThis update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities : - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039) - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id52690
    published2011-03-17
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2011-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/52690
    titleSuSE 11 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (SAT Patch Number 1016)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from SuSE 11 update information. The text itself is
# copyright (C) Novell, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(52690);
  script_version("1.7");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/10/25 13:36:35");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2008-5518", "CVE-2009-0038", "CVE-2009-0039", "CVE-2009-0781");

  script_name(english:"SuSE 11 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (SAT Patch Number 1016)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote SuSE 11 host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"This update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities :

  - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory
    traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039)

  - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting
    vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=507806"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2008-5518.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0038.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0039.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0781.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Apply SAT patch number 1016.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:N");
  script_cwe_id(22, 79, 352);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:novell:suse_linux:11:websphere-as_ce");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:novell:suse_linux:11");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/06/19");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2011/03/17");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2011-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
  script_family(english:"SuSE Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/cpu", "Host/SuSE/release", "Host/SuSE/rpm-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("rpm.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
release = get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/release");
if (isnull(release) || release !~ "^(SLED|SLES)11") audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "SuSE 11");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
if (cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$" && "x86_64" >!< cpu && "s390x" >!< cpu) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "SuSE 11", cpu);

pl = get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/patchlevel");
if (pl) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "SuSE 11.0");


flag = 0;
if (rpm_check(release:"SLES11", sp:0, cpu:"s390x", reference:"websphere-as_ce-2.1.1.2-2.1")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:rpm_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idSUSE_11_WEBSPHERE-AS_CE-090620.NASL
    descriptionThis update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities : - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039) - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id41458
    published2009-09-24
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/41458
    titleSuSE 11 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (SAT Patch Number 1016)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from SuSE 11 update information. The text itself is
# copyright (C) Novell, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(41458);
  script_version("1.11");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/10/25 13:36:35");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2008-5518", "CVE-2009-0038", "CVE-2009-0039", "CVE-2009-0781");

  script_name(english:"SuSE 11 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (SAT Patch Number 1016)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote SuSE 11 host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"This update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities :

  - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory
    traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039)

  - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting
    vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=507806"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2008-5518.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0038.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0039.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0781.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Apply SAT patch number 1016.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:N");
  script_cwe_id(22, 79, 352);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:novell:suse_linux:11:websphere-as_ce");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:novell:suse_linux:11");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/06/20");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2009/09/24");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
  script_family(english:"SuSE Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/cpu", "Host/SuSE/release", "Host/SuSE/rpm-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("rpm.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
release = get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/release");
if (isnull(release) || release !~ "^(SLED|SLES)11") audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "SuSE 11");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/rpm-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);

cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) audit(AUDIT_UNKNOWN_ARCH);
if (cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$" && "x86_64" >!< cpu && "s390x" >!< cpu) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_IMPLEMENTED, "SuSE 11", cpu);

pl = get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/patchlevel");
if (pl) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "SuSE 11.0");


flag = 0;
if (rpm_check(release:"SLES11", sp:0, cpu:"i586", reference:"websphere-as_ce-2.1.1.2-2.2")) flag++;
if (rpm_check(release:"SLES11", sp:0, cpu:"x86_64", reference:"websphere-as_ce-2.1.1.2-2.2")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:rpm_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familySuSE Local Security Checks
    NASL idSUSE_WEBSPHERE-AS_CE-6312.NASL
    descriptionThis update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities : - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038) - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039) - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id41597
    published2009-09-24
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/41597
    titleSuSE 10 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (ZYPP Patch Number 6312)
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The text description of this plugin is (C) Novell, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(41597);
  script_version ("1.11");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/10/25 13:36:37");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2008-5518", "CVE-2009-0038", "CVE-2009-0039", "CVE-2009-0781");

  script_name(english:"SuSE 10 Security Update : Websphere Community Edition (ZYPP Patch Number 6312)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks rpm output for the updated package");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote SuSE 10 host is missing a security-related patch."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"This update of WebSphere fixes the following vulnerabilities :

  - GERONIMO-3838: close potential denial of service attack

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console directory
    traversal vulnerabilities. (CVE-2008-5518)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console XSS
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0038)

  - fix Apache Geronimo web administration console CSRF
    vulnerabilities. (CVE-2009-0039)

  - Samples: Fix Apache Tomcat cross-site scripting
    vulnerability. (CVE-2009-0781)"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2008-5518.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0038.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0039.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2009-0781.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Apply ZYPP patch number 6312.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:N");
  script_cwe_id(22, 79, 352);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:suse:suse_linux");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2009/06/19");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2009/09/24");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
  script_family(english:"SuSE Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/cpu", "Host/SuSE/release", "Host/SuSE/rpm-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("global_settings.inc");
include("rpm.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) exit(0, "Local checks are not enabled.");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/release")) exit(0, "The host is not running SuSE.");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/SuSE/rpm-list")) exit(1, "Could not obtain the list of installed packages.");

cpu = get_kb_item("Host/cpu");
if (isnull(cpu)) exit(1, "Failed to determine the architecture type.");
if (cpu >!< "x86_64" && cpu !~ "^i[3-6]86$") exit(1, "Local checks for SuSE 10 on the '"+cpu+"' architecture have not been implemented.");


flag = 0;
if (rpm_check(release:"SLES10", sp:2, reference:"websphere-as_ce-2.1.1.2-0.3")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:rpm_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else exit(0, "The host is not affected.");

References