CVE-2000-0924 in Master Index
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in search.cgi CGI script in Armada Master Index allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack in the "catigory" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0924 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Armada Master Index search.cgi CGI script that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and represents a fundamental failure in input validation and file access control mechanisms. The specific implementation flaw exists within the handling of the "category" parameter where the script fails to properly sanitize user input before using it to construct file paths. This allows malicious actors to exploit the vulnerability by injecting directory traversal sequences such as "../" to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access protected files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern that violates the principle of least privilege and proper input validation. When the search.cgi script processes the category parameter without adequate sanitization, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into file system operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the file access path. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to traverse directories and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other confidential information that should remain protected from unauthorized access. This flaw aligns with CWE-22 which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system configuration files, password files, application source code, or other sensitive data that may contain credentials, database connection strings, or other valuable information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it a high-risk vulnerability that can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system. This vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use the information gathered through directory traversal to craft more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive input validation controls. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations. Organizations should implement proper path normalization and validation techniques that reject any input containing directory traversal sequences or other potentially dangerous characters. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the web application runs with minimal required permissions and that file system access is restricted to only necessary directories. System administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why secure coding practices and regular security assessments are essential for preventing such critical flaws from being introduced into web applications.