CERT^® Advisory CA-2002-14 Buffer overflow in Macromedia JRun

A complete revision history can be found at the end of this file.

Systems Affected

• Windows NT4 or Windows 2000 running IIS versions 4 or 5 and Macromedia JRun 3.0 or 3.1

Overview

A remotely exploitable buffer overflow exists in Macromedia's JRun 3.0 and 3.1.

I. Description

JRun is an application server that works with most popular web servers, such as Apache and Internet Information Server (IIS). According to Macromedia, JRun is deployed at over 10,000 organizations worldwide.

As reported in the Next Generation Security Software Advisory (#NISR29052002), a remotely exploitable buffer overflow exists in the ISAPI filter/application. Specifically, the buffer overflow exists in the portion of code that handles the host header field. If an attacker sends a specially crafted request to the application server, he can overwrite a return address on the stack. Because the vulnerable DLL is running in the address space of the web server process, code submitted by the attacker will be run with SYSTEM privileges.

II. Impact

A remote attacker can execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable target with SYSTEM privileges.

III. Solution

Apply a patch from Macromedia or upgrade to JRun 4.

Appendix A. - Vendor Information

This appendix contains information provided by vendors for this advisory. Additional information can be found at VU#703835.

Macromedia Inc.

Macromedia has confirmed that this is a problem in older versions of JRun 3.0 and 3.1 and is soon to publish a security bulletin regarding this.  Visit the Macromedia security zone site at http://www.macromedia.com/security for more information.

This vulnerability was discovered by David Litchfield of Next Generation Security Software.

Author: Ian A. Finlay

CERT/CC Contact Information

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Copyright 2002 Carnegie Mellon University.

Revision History

May 29, 2002: Initial release
Aug 21, 2002: Fixed Macromedia link