CVE-2001-0452 in Webweaver
Summary
by MITRE
BRS WebWeaver FTP server before 0.64 Beta allows remote attackers to obtain the real pathname of the server via a "CD *" command followed by an ls command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0452 affects the BRS WebWeaver FTP server version 0.64 Beta and earlier, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that exposes the underlying file system structure to remote attackers. This vulnerability stems from the server's improper handling of directory navigation commands, specifically when processing the "CD *" command followed by an ls command. The flaw allows malicious actors to enumerate and discover the actual directory paths on the server filesystem, potentially revealing sensitive organizational structures and file hierarchies. This type of information disclosure can serve as a critical reconnaissance step for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks against the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the FTP server's command processing logic where the "CD *" command does not properly validate or sanitize the directory path before executing the subsequent ls command. This behavior creates a path traversal scenario where the server reveals its internal directory structure to unauthorized users. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's response handling during directory listing operations, where the system fails to properly isolate or restrict access to the actual filesystem paths. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms within the FTP protocol implementation. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard FTP client connections without requiring any special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical intelligence for subsequent attack phases. By obtaining the real pathname structure, threat actors can identify sensitive directories, understand the server's organizational layout, and potentially locate files containing sensitive data such as configuration files, user credentials, or application source code. This information can significantly reduce the attack surface and increase the success rate of more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing system internals that should remain hidden from external users. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200 Information Exposure, and from an ATT&CK framework perspective, it corresponds to techniques involving reconnaissance and credential access through information gathering activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the BRS WebWeaver FTP server to version 0.64 Beta or later, where the issue has been resolved. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to FTP services and ensure that FTP servers are properly firewalled from internal networks. Additional defensive measures include monitoring FTP traffic for suspicious command sequences and implementing proper access controls that restrict directory listing capabilities. Security administrators should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems to identify and alert on potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves proper input validation and path sanitization within the FTP server's command processing modules, ensuring that directory traversal commands do not leak system path information. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and ensure that similar information disclosure vulnerabilities are addressed across their entire infrastructure.