CVE-2001-0224 in Muscat Empower
Summary
by MITRE
Muscat Empower CGI program allows remote attackers to obtain the absolute pathname of the server via an invalid request in the DB parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0224 affects the Muscat Empower CGI program, which represents a significant information disclosure weakness in web application security. This vulnerability falls under the category of path disclosure attacks that have been documented in various security frameworks including CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure. The flaw manifests when the application processes an invalid request through the DB parameter, allowing remote attackers to extract sensitive path information from the server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with the absolute pathname of the server, which serves as foundational information for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the CGI program's parameter handling mechanism. When an attacker submits a malformed request containing an invalid DB parameter value, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before processing it. Instead of gracefully handling the invalid input or returning a generic error message, the system reveals the absolute server path in its error response. This behavior directly violates security principles of least privilege and defense in depth, as the application exposes internal system information that should remain confidential. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which focuses on techniques used to gather information about the file system structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system architecture information that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Once an attacker obtains the absolute pathname, they can use this information to craft more targeted attacks against specific file locations, potentially leading to directory traversal, arbitrary file access, or privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on CGI programs for dynamic content generation and database connectivity, making it particularly relevant in environments where legacy systems are still in operation. This type of information disclosure can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more severe attack vectors, such as exploiting known paths to access sensitive configuration files or database connection strings.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and error handling within the CGI application. Organizations should ensure that all parameter values are validated against expected formats and ranges before processing, with invalid inputs resulting in generic error messages rather than system-specific information. The application should be configured to suppress detailed error messages that reveal internal system paths, instead returning standardized error responses that do not expose sensitive information. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and restricting direct file system access through web interfaces can help reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual error patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit path disclosure vulnerabilities, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure weaknesses in other components of the application stack. The remediation process should align with security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to ensure comprehensive protection against information leakage threats.