CVE-2000-0063 in Contivity
Summary
by MITRE
cgiproc CGI script in Nortel Contivity HTTP server allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying the filename in a parameter to the script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0063 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Nortel Contivity HTTP server's cgiproc CGI script implementation. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations. The vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP server component of Nortel's Contivity security solutions, which were widely deployed for network access control and authentication services in enterprise environments. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the filename parameter passed to the cgiproc script, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of path traversal or directory traversal attacks as defined by CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious requests to the affected CGI script by manipulating the filename parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\.. The server processes these requests without adequate validation, allowing the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files including configuration data, authentication credentials, system logs, and potentially system binaries. The cgiproc script, designed for processing CGI requests within the Contivity environment, lacks proper input sanitization and file access controls that would normally prevent such unauthorized file system access. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation or to compromise the entire security infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0063 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated compromises within network environments. Organizations utilizing Nortel Contivity servers were particularly vulnerable since these devices often served as critical access points for network authentication and security policy enforcement. Attackers could potentially access configuration files containing user credentials, authentication tokens, or security policy definitions that would enable them to bypass authentication mechanisms or escalate privileges within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the server or network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise deployments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers might use the stolen information to craft more targeted attacks. The compromise of such authentication infrastructure could lead to complete network infiltration, as the Contivity servers typically controlled access to critical network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0063 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Nortel, as the vendor would have released security updates specifically addressing the input validation flaws in the cgiproc script. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Contivity servers and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting CGI scripts. Input validation measures must be strengthened to ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized before processing, including the implementation of allow-list validation for filename parameters. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify and disable unnecessary CGI scripts that expose file system access capabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if exploitation occurs, the attacker's access remains limited to prevent complete system compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 security standards, where inadequate parameter validation represents a fundamental security weakness that can lead to severe consequences in network security infrastructure.