Security Flaw Found in Tomcat Connectors

A vulnerability in Apache Tomcat Connectors on Unix-like systems could allow local attackers to access sensitive data or cause a denial of service.

A security vulnerability has been identified in Apache Tomcat Connectors, specifically affecting the mod_jk module on Unix-like operating systems. The issue originates from incorrect default permissions assigned to shared memory segments used by the connector. These overly permissive settings create an opening for unauthorized access. A local attacker, meaning an individual with existing access to the server, could exploit this flaw to interact with the shared memory where mod_jk stores its configuration data. This vulnerability does not require remote access but poses a significant risk in environments where multiple users or processes share the same machine, undermining a key security principle of multi-tenant systems.

The impact of this vulnerability is twofold. An attacker could read the configuration data from shared memory, potentially exposing sensitive information such as backend server details, application paths, or other configuration secrets. This information could then be used to plan further attacks. Alternatively, an attacker could modify the configuration data, which could lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. By altering routing rules or other critical settings, they could disrupt traffic flow between the web server and the Tomcat application server, making the application unavailable to legitimate users. This affects any organization running Apache HTTP Server with the mod_jk connector on a Unix-based platform.

The vulnerability allows local attackers to access sensitive configuration data or cause a denial of service, impacting application security and availability for users of Apache Tomcat Connectors.

Exploitation could lead to service disruptions (denial of service), impacting revenue and user trust. The exposure of sensitive configuration data could also lead to further security breaches, regulatory non-compliance, and reputational damage.