CVE-2000-1196 in PublishingXpert
Summary
by MITRE
PSCOErrPage.htm in Netscape PublishingXpert 2.5 before SP2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying the target file in the errPagePath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1196 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Netscape PublishingXpert 2.5 before Service Pack 2. This security weakness resides in the PSCOErrPage.htm component which processes user input through the errPagePath parameter without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the application's file handling mechanisms and access arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the errPagePath parameter to navigate through the file system hierarchy and retrieve sensitive files that should remain protected. When the application processes the malicious input, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the file path specification, resulting in the direct inclusion or retrieval of files from locations outside the intended web root directory. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access configuration files, source code, system binaries, or other sensitive data that may contain authentication credentials, system information, or proprietary data. The vulnerability essentially bypasses the normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized file access within the application's security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the potential to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the affected system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain sensitive information that may be used for further attacks, including credential theft, system reconnaissance, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the same system. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the application is exposed to untrusted users. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes discovering file and directory permissions, as attackers can use the directory traversal to enumerate system resources and identify potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the affected Netscape PublishingXpert application to Service Pack 2 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths and strict validation of all user-supplied input. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, and maintain comprehensive logging of all file access attempts to aid in forensic analysis and threat detection. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security measures in web applications.