CVE-2000-1171 in CGIForum
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cgiforum.pl script in CGIForum 1.0 allows remote attackers to ready arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack in the "thesection" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-1171 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed within the cgiforum.pl script of CGIForum 1.0 software. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation where the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before using it in file system operations. The specific weakness allows malicious actors to manipulate the "thesection" parameter through directory traversal sequences using the ".." notation to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the script's failure to validate or filter the input parameter before constructing file paths for retrieval. When the cgiforum.pl script processes the "thesection" parameter, it directly incorporates user input into file system operations without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse up the directory hierarchy using standard path traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\", thereby gaining access to arbitrary files on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to read arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially exposing sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests, making it a high-risk issue for web applications. Attackers could leverage this weakness to obtain system information, user credentials, or other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries enumerate files and directories to understand system structure and identify potential targets for exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation can create pathways for attackers to bypass intended access controls and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly checked before being used in file system operations. The recommended approach involves implementing a whitelist validation mechanism that only accepts predetermined, safe values for the "thesection" parameter, or implementing proper path normalization that strips out directory traversal sequences. Additionally, restricting file system access permissions for web applications and implementing proper access controls can help reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications, as directory traversal vulnerabilities continue to be a prevalent threat in web applications due to their ease of exploitation and potential for significant data exposure.