CVE-2000-0940 in pagelog.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Metertek pagelog.cgi allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack on the "name" or "display" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0940 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the Metertek pagelog.cgi web application component. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the "name" and "display" parameters that are processed without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file path references by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. When the pagelog.cgi script processes these parameters, it fails to properly validate or filter the input, allowing attackers to construct malicious file paths that can traverse beyond the intended directory boundaries.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the core of improper input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application. The weakness stems from the application's failure to implement proper path validation routines that would prevent users from accessing files outside the designated web root or application directories. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should normally be protected from unauthorized access. The attack vector leverages standard file system navigation sequences that are typically harmless in legitimate use cases but become exploitable when processed by vulnerable applications without proper input filtering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to access critical system resources including database files, system configuration settings, application source code, or other sensitive data that may contain authentication credentials or other exploitable information. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the vulnerability. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who can leverage it from external networks to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0940 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameter validation that strips or rejects directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Additionally, developers should employ secure coding practices that enforce strict access controls and implement proper path validation routines. The application should be configured to operate within restricted directory boundaries and should not allow user input to influence file system navigation. Security measures should also include regular input sanitization, proper file access control implementation, and adherence to the principle of least privilege when configuring web application permissions. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control mechanisms in preventing unauthorized file system access and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information through file and directory listing operations that may be enabled by such path traversal vulnerabilities.