Ghostcat, 13-Year old severe file inclusion vulnerability affected Apache-Tomcat server allows hackers to read or include any files in the web app directories of Tomcat remotely.

Tomcat is one of the most popular Java middleware servers that used to deploy Java Servlets and JSPs, also it provides a “pure Java” HTTP web server environment in which Java code can run.

Critical Ghostcat Vulnerability initially discovered by a researcher from Chaitin Tech and the bug is specifically existing in the Tomcat AJP protocol.

AJP protocol is a binary protocol that can proxy inbound requests from a web server through to an application server that sits behind the webserver.

The vulnerability can be tracked as CVE-2020-1938 and it affected all versions of Tomcat 9/8/7/6.

Affected Tomcat version:

• Apache Tomcat 9.x < 9.0.31
• Apache Tomcat 8.x < 8.5.51
• Apache Tomcat 7.x < 7.0.100
• Apache Tomcat 6.x

Ghostcat is a high-risk file read/include vulnerability in Tomcat, and it allows an attacker to execute malicious code on the target host by exploiting file inclusion flaw.

In other words, Ghostcat vulnerability allows an attacker to read the configuration files and source code files of all webapps that deployed in Tomcat, and if the web app allows a file upload due to this severe flaw, the attacker is also able to upload any files to the server.

It also lets attackers upload any malicious Java Server Pages (JSP) that enable remote code execution on the server.

According to the Researcher from Chaitin Tech, Under the following circumstances can Tomcat be exploited.

=>  If the AJP Connector is enabled and the attacker can access the 
      AJP Connector service port, there is a risk of be exploited by 
      the Ghostcat vulnerability. 
=> It should be noted that Tomcat AJP Connector is enabled by default 
      and listens at 0.0.0.0:8009.

Chaitin Tech reported this severe vulnerability to Apache Tomcat official on 2020/01/03 and the Apache Tomcat fixed the bug and released 9.0.31 and 8.5.51 version.

You can read the Ghostcat vulnerability patch notice from Apache for Tomcat 7.x,  Tomcat 8.x, and Tomcat 9.x 

You can also Utilize xray vulnerability scanner from Chaitin Tech to detect Ghostcat Vulnerability.

Also Read: Most Important Web Server Penetration Testing Checklist

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