Apache Commons FileUpload Vulnerability in libcommons-fileupload-java: Arbitrary File Write via NULL Byte
Summary
CVE-2013-2186: The DiskFileItem class in Apache Commons FileUpload, as used in Red Hat JBoss BRMS 5.3.1; JBoss Portal 4.3 CP07, 5.2.2, and 6.0.0; and Red Hat JBoss Web Server 1.0.2 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files vi... Affects libcommons-fileupload-java versions < 1.3-2.1. Fixed in 1.3-2.1. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Commons FileUpload is a widely used library in Java applications for handling file uploads. It provides a simple API for processing file uploads in web applications. However, certain versions of this library are vulnerable to a security flaw that allows attackers to exploit the file upload functionality, leading to potential unauthorized file writes on the server. This vulnerability affects various distributions, including Debian 11, 12, and 13, making it critical for developers using this library to be aware of its implications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2013-2186, resides in the DiskFileItem class of Apache Commons FileUpload. It allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files by injecting a NULL byte into a file name in a serialized instance. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files or even complete system compromise, depending on the server's configuration and permissions. The flaw arises from improper validation of file names, enabling attackers to bypass security checks.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.3-2.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libcommons-fileupload-javaTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, a temporary workaround is to implement input validation on file names before processing uploads. Ensure that file names do not contain NULL bytes or any other potentially harmful characters. This can be done by sanitizing the input, for example: if (
fileName.contains("\0")) { throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid file name");
}
Conclusion
The CVE-2013-2186 vulnerability in the Apache Commons FileUpload library poses a significant risk to applications that utilize the libcommons-fileupload-java package. It is crucial for developers to update to the latest version to mitigate potential security threats. Implementing input validation can serve as a temporary measure while awaiting updates.
See every vulnerability recorded for libcommons-fileupload-java →
FAQ
CVE-2013-2186 is a security vulnerability in the Apache Commons FileUpload library that allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files by exploiting a NULL byte in a file name.
The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 1.3-2.1 in Debian 11, 12, and 13.
You can use Vulert to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized file access, data breaches, and potentially full system compromise, depending on the server's configuration.
Yes, you can implement input validation on file names to prevent NULL bytes and other harmful characters from being processed.
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