13-year-old Ghostcat Bug Affected Apache-Tomcat Let Hackers Remotely Inject Any Files in The Servers

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.xTomcat 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

Follow us on TwitterLinkedinFacebook for Daily cyber security & hacking news updates.

Balaji

BALAJI is an Ex-Security Researcher (Threat Research Labs) at Comodo Cybersecurity. Editor-in-Chief & Co-Founder - Cyber Security News & GBHackers On Security.

Recent Posts

Threat Actors Exploit Google Docs And Weebly Services For Malware Attacks

Phishing attackers used Google Docs to deliver malicious links, bypassing security measures and redirecting victims…

8 hours ago

Python NodeStealer: Targeting Facebook Business Accounts to Harvest Login Credentials

The Python-based NodeStealer, a sophisticated info-stealer, has evolved to target new information and employ advanced…

9 hours ago

XSS Vulnerability in Bing.com Let Attackers Send Crafted Malicious Requests

A significant XSS vulnerability was recently uncovered in Microsoft’s Bing.com, potentially allowing attackers to execute…

11 hours ago

Meta Removed 2 Million Account Linked to Malicious Activities

 Meta has announced the removal of over 2 million accounts connected to malicious activities, including…

15 hours ago

Veritas Enterprise Vault Vulnerabilities Lets Attackers Execute Arbitrary Code Remotely

Critical security vulnerability has been identified in Veritas Enterprise Vault, a widely-used archiving and content…

16 hours ago

7-Zip RCE Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code

A critical security vulnerability has been disclosed in the popular file archiving tool 7-Zip, allowing…

16 hours ago