CVE-2001-0571 in IM Message Inspector
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web server for (1) Elron Internet Manager (IM) Message Inspector and (2) Anti-Virus before 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the requested URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0571 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Elron Internet Manager Message Inspector and Anti-Virus versions prior to 3.0.4. This security weakness resides within the web server component of these applications, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes URL requests containing directory traversal sequences, particularly those utilizing the .. (dot dot) notation to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve files that should otherwise be restricted, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, or user data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters to include directory traversal sequences, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended web root directory. When the web server processes these malformed requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input paths, resulting in the execution of file access operations that traverse directories beyond the designated boundaries. This behavior aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and access control mechanisms within the web server implementation, where user-supplied data is not adequately filtered or normalized before being used in file system operations.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system resources that could facilitate further exploitation. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access configuration files containing database credentials, application secrets, or system administration details that could be used to escalate privileges or gain deeper system access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability also aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the reconnaissance and credential access phases, where adversaries seek to gather information about the target system and potentially extract sensitive data.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the web server configuration. Organizations should immediately update to versions of Elron Internet Manager Message Inspector and Anti-Virus that include patches addressing this directory traversal vulnerability, specifically versions 3.0.4 and later. System administrators should also implement proper URL path validation mechanisms that sanitize or reject requests containing directory traversal sequences, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated before being processed in file system operations. Network security controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking requests containing suspicious path traversal patterns. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of web server configurations can further reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline behaviors for system activity.