CVE-2001-0272 in Anaya Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in sendtemp.pl in W3.org Anaya Web development server allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack in the templ parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The CVE-2001-0272 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the W3.org Anaya Web development server's sendtemp.pl script. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of the templ parameter which processes template file requests without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit the server's file system access mechanisms by manipulating the templ parameter with directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) notation. When the server processes these malicious inputs, it fails to properly validate the file paths, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended template directory and access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness in file system access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to severe information disclosure risks. Attackers can craft malicious requests that include sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns to access sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, potentially allowing access to configuration files, user credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that could be stored on the same server. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a popular target for automated exploitation tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web server environments. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to stored data through improper input handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0272 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further attack vectors and system compromise. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise when attackers gain access to sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or application source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the W3.org Anaya Web development server, which was commonly used for hosting web applications during the early 2000s, making numerous web servers susceptible to this attack. Organizations running this software faced significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where the web server was not properly isolated from sensitive system resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as the server should have been configured to restrict file system access to only authorized template directories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0272 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software components and implementation of proper input validation controls. The most effective immediate solution involves applying security patches released by W3.org or the software vendor to address the directory traversal vulnerability in the sendtemp.pl script. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, particularly those involving .. sequences in parameter values. Input sanitization measures must be implemented to validate and filter all user-supplied data before processing, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly detected and rejected. Additional defensive measures include restricting file system access permissions for web server processes, implementing proper directory structure isolation, and conducting regular security audits of web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for security awareness training and secure coding practices that emphasize the importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access.