CVE-2000-0660 in WorldClient
Summary
by MITRE
The WDaemon web server for WorldClient 2.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0660 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the WDaemon web server component of WorldClient 2.1 software. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access files outside the intended web root directory through manipulation of directory path references. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper input validation in the web server's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious users to navigate through the file system hierarchy using the double dot sequence that is commonly recognized as a directory traversal indicator in Unix-like and Windows operating systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the WDaemon web server fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that contains directory path references. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing sequences such as "../" or "..\.." to traverse up the directory tree and access files that should remain protected within the web server's restricted file system. This flaw essentially bypasses the normal file system access controls and allows unauthorized reading of sensitive files including configuration files, database files, system logs, and potentially even system binaries or credential files that should never be accessible through web requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for any organization using WorldClient 2.1 with the affected WDaemon web server. Remote attackers can potentially access sensitive data including user credentials, system configuration information, application source code, and other confidential files that may contain intellectual property or personally identifiable information. The vulnerability allows for complete unauthorized access to the file system from which the web server is operating, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of attack falls under the CWE-22 category of "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when attackers use this vulnerability to obtain credentials or sensitive data from compromised systems.
The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities. Attackers might discover backup files, temporary files, or configuration files containing database passwords or API keys. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that are commonly found in legacy web applications and highlights the importance of implementing proper access controls and input sanitization. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of WorldClient, implementing web application firewalls, and configuring proper file system permissions to limit the web server's access to only necessary directories. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and the importance of keeping web applications updated to address known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by threat actors.