AJP Request Injection and potential Remote Code Execution (CVE-2020-1938)

Original Release Date: March 04, 2020
Last Revised: April 20, 2022
Number: ASA-2020-019
Overall Severity Classification: Critical
Advisory Version: 6.0
Advisory Status: Final

1. Overview:

Apache Tomcat is an open source software implementation for Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages (JSP) technologies.

When using the Apache JServ Protocol (AJP), care must be taken when trusting incoming connections to Apache Tomcat. Tomcat treats AJP connections as having higher trust than, for example, a similar HTTP connection. If such connections are available to an attacker, they can be exploited. If the web application allowed file upload and stored those files within the web application (or the attacker is able to control the content of the web application by some other means) then this, along with the ability to process a file as a JSP, make remote code execution possible. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2020-1938 to this issue.

More information about this vulnerability can be found in the security advisory issued by Apache Tomcat:

2. Avaya System Products with an affected version of Tomcat installed:

For assessment and severity classification details refer to Section 3 of Avaya's Product Security Vulnerability Response Policy.
The "Resolution" column will be updated as fixes are made available. Please reference the "Information" column for any additional information regarding the affected product.

Product: Version(s): Resolution: Information:
Avaya Aura® Application Enablement Services 7.0 through 7.1.3.5
8.0 through 8.1.2
For 7.x, upgrade to 7.1.3.6 and apply latest Linux Security Updates.
For 8.x, upgrade to 8.1.3 and apply latest Linux Security Updates.
7.1.x Linux Security Updates Information

8.1.x Linux Security Updates information

The risk is mitigated because AJP connections are limited to listening on localhost (127.0.0.1) and would require privileged user permissions to modify.
Avaya Aura® Application Server 5300:
  • SIP Core
3.0 through 3.0 SP15.3 Upgrade to 3.0 SP15.4 or later.
Avaya CMS R18 through R18.1.0.3, R19 through R19.1.0.0 For R18, upgrade to R18.1.0.4 or later.
For R19, upgrade to R19.1.0.1 or later.
Avaya Aura® Conferencing 8.0 through 8.0 SP17 Upgrade to 8.0 SP18 or later.
Avaya Aura® Experience Portal 7.0 through 7.2.2 Upgrade to 7.2.3 or later. The risk is mitigated because AJP connections are limited to listening on localhost (127.0.0.1) and would require privileged user permissions to modify.
Avaya IP Office 10.x, 11.0.x Upgrade to 11.1 or later.
Avaya IQ 5.x This advisory will not be addressed as no further releases are planned, See recommended actions below. It is recommended to migrate to Avaya Oceanalytics for Elite.

The risk is mitigated since the AJP port in the server configuration is disabled.
Avaya Meeting Exchange 6.2 through 6.2 SP8 Upgrade to 6.2 SP9 or later.
Avaya Aura® Messaging 7.0 through 7.1 SP2 Upgrade to 7.1 SP3 or later.
Avaya one-X® Client Enablement Services 6.2.x No further releases are planned. See recommended actions below. This advisory will not be addressed as no further releases are planned. It is recommended to migrate to another Avaya Conferencing solution such as Equinox Conferencing, Spaces or IX Meetings. Refer to the End of Sale Notice.
Avaya Proactive Contact 5.0 through 5.2.0.1 Upgrade to 5.2.0.2 or later.
Avaya Session Border Controller for Enterprise 7.x, 8.0 through 8.1.0.0 Upgrade to 8.1.1.0 or later.
Avaya Aura® Utility Services 7.0 through 7.1.3.5 Upgrade to 7.1.3.6 or later.

Recommended Actions for System Products:
Avaya strongly recommends following networking and security best practices by implementing firewalls, ACLs, physical security or other appropriate access restrictions. Though Avaya believes such restrictions should always be in place, risk to Avaya products and the surrounding network from this potential vulnerability may be mitigated by ensuring these practices are implemented until such time as an Avaya provided product update or the recommended Avaya action is applied. Further restrictions as deemed necessary based on the customer's security policies may be required during this interim period, but the System Product operating system or application should not be modified unless the change is approved by Avaya. Making changes that are not approved may void the Avaya product service contract.

CVSS Scoring and Metrics:

Avaya uses the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base score and metrics as reported by the vendor for the affected component(s) or by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the National Vulnerability Database. In some cases, such as where CVSS information is not available from the vendor or NIST, Avaya will calculate the CVSS base score and metrics. Customers are encouraged to calculate the Temporal and Environmental CVSS scores to determine how the vulnerability could affect their specific implementation or environment. For more information on CVSS and how the score is calculated, see Common Vulnerability Scoring System: Specification Document.

Vulnerability CVSSv3 Base Score CVSSv3 Metrics
CVE-2020-1938
9.8 (Critical) CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

3. Avaya Software-Only Products:

Avaya software-only products operate on general-purpose operating systems. Occasionally vulnerabilities may be discovered in the applications installed on the system which may threaten the integrity of the underlying platform.

Product: Actions:
Aura® Application Enablement Services If the affected package is installed, determine if Apache Tomcat is installed by the Avaya software-only product or as a separate application and follow the vendor's guidance.
Aura® Experience Portal If the affected package is installed, determine if Apache Tomcat is installed by the Avaya software-only product or as a separate application and follow the vendor's guidance.
Avaya one-X Client Enablement Services If the affected package is installed, determine if Apache Tomcat is installed by the Avaya software-only product or as a separate application and follow the vendor's guidance.

4. Additional Information:

Additional information may also be available via the Avaya support website and through your Avaya account representative. Please contact your Avaya product support representative, or dial 1-800-242-2121, with any questions.

5. Disclaimer:

ALL INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, IS PROVIDED "AS IS", AND IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO PRODUCT VERSIONS ELIGIBLE FOR MANUFACTURER SUPPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH AVAYA PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE POLICY. AVAYA INC., ON BEHALF ITSELF AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY REFERRED TO AS "AVAYA"), DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND FURTHERMORE, AVAYA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES THAT THE STEPS RECOMMENDED WILL ELIMINATE SECURITY OR VIRUS THREATS TO CUSTOMERS' SYSTEMS. IN NO EVENT SHALL AVAYA BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE INFORMATION OR RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PROVIDED HEREIN, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, STATUTORY, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF AVAYA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE DOES NOT AFFECT THE SUPPORT AGREEMENTS IN PLACE FOR AVAYA PRODUCTS. SUPPORT FOR AVAYA PRODUCTS CONTINUES TO BE EXECUTED AS PER EXISTING AGREEMENTS WITH AVAYA.

6. Revision History:

V 1.0 - March 04, 2020 - Initial Statement issued.
V 2.0 - June 16, 2020 - Updated versions and resolution for AS5300, CMS, EP, IPO and information section for IQ.
V 3.0 - August 24, 2020 - Updated versions and resolution for AES, Conferencing, IPO, SBCE and US.
V 4.0 - October 27, 2020 - Updated versions and resolution for AES, CMS and Messaging.
V 5.0 - April 22, 2021 - Updated versions and resolution for MX and PC.
V 6.0 - April 20, 2022 - Updated versions One-x and resolution and set advisory status to Final.

Avaya customers or Business Partners should report any security issues found with Avaya products via the standard support process.
Independent security researchers can contact Avaya at [email protected].

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