For Eclipse Jetty versions <= 9.4.40, <= 10.0.2, <= 11.0.2, it is possible for requests to the ConcatServlet with a doubly encoded path to access protected resources within the WEB-INF directory. For example, a request to `/concat?/%2557EB-INF/web.xml` can retrieve the web.xml file. This can reveal sensitive information regarding the implementation of a web application.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive files, which could lead to further exploitation or data leakage. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the potential for information disclosure makes it critical for organizations to assess their exposure and mitigate risks.
To protect against this vulnerability, organizations should patch affected systems as soon as possible, as the risk of exposure can lead to significant operational impacts.
Vulnerability Details
The official description outlines that this vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive files within the WEB-INF directory of affected Eclipse Jetty versions. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, and it has a CVSS score of 5.3, classified as medium severity.
The affected versions include Eclipse Jetty 9.4.40 and earlier, 10.0.2 and earlier, and 11.0.2 and earlier. The vulnerability was published on June 9, 2021.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which pertains to information exposure. Organizations using affected versions of Jetty should take immediate action to update their systems.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of encoded paths in requests to the ConcatServlet. Attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted requests that double-encode the path, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive files.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. The attack complexity is considered low, making it easier for potential attackers to exploit this vulnerability.
The impact on confidentiality is classified as low, as sensitive information may be disclosed, but integrity and availability are not impacted. Organizations should implement monitoring mechanisms to identify any attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on Jetty for their web applications. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive files could lead to data breaches and subsequent regulatory repercussions.
Organizations must understand the potential blast radius of this vulnerability. If an attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability, they could access various sensitive files that could be leveraged for further attacks. Urgency for remediation should be assessed based on the CVSS score and the potential impact of an exploit.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Eclipse Jetty include all versions prior to 9.4.41, 10.0.3, and 11.0.3. This includes Debian Linux 9.0 and 10.0. Organizations using these versions must ensure they update to the patched versions to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching affected systems immediately. It is recommended to upgrade to the latest versions of Eclipse Jetty to ensure that this vulnerability is remediated. In addition to patching, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening and network controls to limit access to sensitive directories.
For more information on how to secure your applications, consider consulting resources on application security assessments to identify potential weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts to the WEB-INF directory. Behavioral anomalies in web server logs indicating attempts to access sensitive files should be investigated promptly. Network signatures that could indicate exploitation attempts should also be set to alert security teams.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-28169 lies in the ongoing vulnerability of web applications to information disclosure. Security teams should recognize the patterns of misconfiguration that can lead to similar vulnerabilities in the future. As such, implementing a robust security framework and conducting regular security assessments are critical.
For further reading on application security strategies, consider exploring our insights on application security assessments and how they can help in identifying vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Finally, organizations should stay informed about potential vulnerabilities and remediation strategies by engaging with our vulnerability management program to ensure ongoing protection against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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