CVE-2001-0210 in Commerce
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in commerce.cgi CGI program allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0210 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the commerce.cgi CGI program, a common component in early web commerce applications. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and specifically aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The commerce.cgi script, designed to handle online transactions and product displays, failed to properly sanitize user input, creating an exploitable condition where remote attackers could manipulate the page parameter to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of directory path references using the .. (dot dot) notation, which is a fundamental concept in Unix and Windows file systems for navigating parent directories. When the commerce.cgi program processes the page parameter without proper validation or sanitization, attackers can append sequences like ../../etc/passwd or ../../../windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts to access sensitive system files that should remain protected. This occurs because the application does not adequately restrict file path resolution, allowing the .. sequences to traverse upward through the directory hierarchy and access files that are not intended to be publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive user information stored on the web server. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, and other sensitive data that could lead to further compromise of the system. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate web application but also potentially the entire underlying operating system, as it allows access to system-level files that are typically protected from unauthorized access. This represents a significant security risk for e-commerce platforms and web applications that rely on CGI scripts for processing user requests.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0210 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are thoroughly checked before being used in file system operations. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist validation method where only predetermined, safe file paths are allowed, and rejecting any input containing .. sequences or other potentially dangerous path traversal characters. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles, ensuring that the web application runs with minimal necessary permissions and that sensitive files are properly protected. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering system information through directory traversal attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices and implementing proper security controls as outlined in various industry standards including OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.