CVE-2001-0467 in Viking Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in RobTex Viking Web server before 1.07-381 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a \... (modified dot dot) in an HTTP URL request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0467 represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the RobTex Viking Web server software, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.07-381. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw manifests when the web server fails to properly validate or sanitize user input containing directory path references, allowing malicious actors to manipulate HTTP URL requests to access files outside the intended web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the exploitation of the backslash character sequence \... within HTTP URL requests to perform directory traversal attacks. When a web server processes such requests without adequate input validation, it interprets the modified dot dot sequences as legitimate path navigation commands, enabling attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy beyond the designated web directories. This allows unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential information that should remain restricted to authorized users only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system resources that could lead to further compromise. An attacker could potentially read system configuration files, password files, database files, or other sensitive data that resides on the same server. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from anywhere on the internet. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of files and directories, and T1566, which covers credential access through various means including information gathering.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications. The RobTex Viking Web server's failure to adequately process user-supplied path information creates an attack surface that can be systematically exploited by threat actors. Organizations running vulnerable versions of this software face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive information is accessed through this pathway. The vulnerability also highlights the broader challenge of maintaining secure software configurations and the necessity of regular security updates and patches to address known weaknesses in web server implementations. System administrators should implement immediate mitigation measures including updating to patched versions, implementing proper input validation, and deploying web application firewalls to prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific directory traversal vulnerability.