Description: JNDI injection (Java Naming and Directory Interface) is a type of attack that exploits Java’s naming and directory interface to execute malicious code. This vulnerability occurs when a Java application allows user input data to be used without proper validation or sanitization, enabling an attacker to manipulate JNDI requests. By doing so, the attacker can redirect the application to an external resource, such as an LDAP or RMI server, where they can obtain or execute malicious code. JNDI injection becomes a dangerous attack vector as it can lead to remote code execution (RCE), thereby compromising the security of the application and the server it runs on. This type of vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where applications interact with network services, as the interaction with external resources can be maliciously manipulated. The lack of adequate controls and improper configuration of JNDI services are contributing factors to the exploitation of this vulnerability, making it a critical topic in vulnerability analysis for applications.
History: JNDI injection began to gain attention in the security community starting in 2021, when multiple vulnerabilities were discovered in Java applications that used JNDI without proper security measures. One of the most notable incidents was the attack through the CVE-2021-22963 vulnerability, which allowed remote code execution in vulnerable applications. Since then, significant efforts have been made to educate developers on best practices for securing applications and mitigating such attacks.
Uses: JNDI injection is primarily used in attacks targeting applications that do not properly implement input validation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute malicious code on the server, steal sensitive data, or compromise the integrity of the application. Additionally, it has been used in penetration testing to assess the security of applications and in security research to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in existing systems.
Examples: A notable example of JNDI injection occurred in 2021 when it was discovered that several Java applications were exposed to the CVE-2021-22963 vulnerability. Attackers could send manipulated requests that redirected to an attacker-controlled LDAP server, allowing the execution of malicious code. Another case was observed in applications using third-party libraries without proper configurations, facilitating the exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.
