CVE-2000-0868 in HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of Apache 1.3.12 in SuSE Linux 6.4 allows remote attackers to read source code for CGI scripts by replacing the /cgi-bin/ in the requested URL with /cgi-bin-sdb/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0868 represents a critical directory traversal issue affecting Apache 1.3.12 installations on SuSE Linux 6.4 systems. This flaw stems from improper configuration handling within the web server's directory structure processing, specifically when dealing with CGI script execution paths. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated manipulation technique where attackers can substitute the standard /cgi-bin/ directory reference with /cgi-bin-sdb/ to gain unauthorized access to the underlying source code of CGI scripts. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper access control mechanisms that violate fundamental security principles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a specific configuration quirk in the Apache web server's path resolution algorithm. When the server encounters a request containing the modified path pattern /cgi-bin-sdb/, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the directory reference, allowing the request to traverse the filesystem in unintended ways. This behavior creates an information disclosure vulnerability that directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, and more specifically aligns with CWE-23 - Relative Path Traversal. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 - Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries extract sensitive information through directory traversal methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as CGI script source code typically contains sensitive implementation details, database connection strings, authentication mechanisms, and business logic that could be exploited by malicious actors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to understand the application architecture, identify potential attack vectors, and develop more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects systems where Apache is configured with default settings that do not properly enforce path restrictions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security hardening practices are not implemented. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can lead to cascading security issues if the exposed source code contains hardcoded credentials or other sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0868 require immediate configuration adjustments to prevent directory traversal attacks. System administrators should implement proper path validation mechanisms that reject requests containing suspicious directory patterns such as /cgi-bin-sdb/. The recommended approach involves configuring Apache with proper access controls using directives like <Directory> and <Location> blocks to restrict access to CGI directories. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization at the application level and using security modules such as mod_security can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regularly auditing their Apache configurations against security best practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security hardening and configuration management, as highlighted in various security frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar configuration weaknesses that could lead to information disclosure vulnerabilities in web applications.