CVE-2001-0038 in Offline Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Offline Explorer 1.4 before Service Release 2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by specifying the drive letter (e.g. C:) in the requested URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0038 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Offline Explorer 1.4 before Service Release 2, which falls under the broader category of insecure direct object reference vulnerabilities classified as CWE-22. This weakness allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the target system by manipulating URL requests to include drive letter specifications such as C: in the requested path. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's URL parsing mechanism, which fails to properly validate or restrict the file paths that can be accessed through the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input in URL parameters, enabling attackers to construct malicious requests that traverse the file system hierarchy. When an attacker specifies a drive letter in the URL such as "C:/windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts", the application processes this request without adequate validation, allowing direct access to system files that should normally be restricted. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests without requiring any special privileges or authentication. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user information stored on the local file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access critical system components that could be used for further exploitation or reconnaissance. An attacker could potentially access sensitive files such as password hashes, configuration files, database files, or other system resources that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as unauthorized access to system files could lead to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where offline browsers are used to access internal resources, as it could provide attackers with access to internal network resources or sensitive corporate data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate installation of the Service Release 2 patch provided by the vendor, which addresses the input validation issues in the URL handling mechanism. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization and validation at all levels of the application stack, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated before being processed. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit access to sensitive systems and applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this vulnerability to discover system files and potentially gain additional access through further exploitation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can help prevent malformed URL requests from reaching the vulnerable application, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications.