CVE-2001-0492 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Netcruiser Web server version 0.1.2.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to determine the physical path of the server via a URL containing (1) con, (2) com2, or (3) com3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0492 represents a classic path disclosure issue affecting the Netcruiser Web server software. This security flaw exists in versions 0.1.2.8 and earlier, where the web server fails to properly handle specific filename patterns that correspond to reserved device names in the windows operating system. The vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms, which allow remote attackers to exploit the underlying operating system's device naming conventions to infer the physical directory structure of the web server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specifically crafted URLs that contain the reserved device names con, com2, and com3. When these malformed requests are processed by the vulnerable Netcruiser server, the web server inadvertently reveals the absolute physical path of the system through error messages or response content. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be used for further exploitation. The flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices where the server does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before processing it within the file system context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the foundational knowledge necessary for more sophisticated attacks. By discovering the physical path structure, malicious actors can potentially identify sensitive directories, understand the server's file organization, and plan subsequent attacks such as directory traversal or local file inclusion exploits. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers discovery of file and directory permissions, and T1068 which covers privilege escalation through local file system access. The exposure of system paths can also facilitate other attack vectors including privilege escalation attempts, as attackers can now understand the server's directory structure and potentially locate configuration files or other sensitive resources.
Organizations running vulnerable Netcruiser Web server versions should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the software, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and configuring the web server to sanitize all user-supplied input before processing. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block requests containing reserved device names, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, as highlighted by the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Additionally, system administrators should review and implement proper access controls and directory permissions to limit the potential impact of such information disclosure vulnerabilities, ensuring that even if path information is revealed, sensitive system resources remain protected from unauthorized access.