CVE-2001-0574 in Mp3mystic
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in MP3Mystic prior to 1.04b3 allows a remote attacker to download arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0574 represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the MP3Mystic media server software prior to version 1.04b3. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is one of the most well-established and frequently exploited security weaknesses in web applications and network services. The flaw specifically affects how the application processes URL parameters containing directory traversal sequences, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the MP3Mystic server's file access mechanisms. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious URL containing dot-dot-sequence characters such as "../" or "..\", the application fails to properly sanitize these path components before attempting to access files on the underlying filesystem. This lack of proper path validation enables the attacker to navigate upward through the directory structure and access files that should remain restricted, including system configuration files, user data, or even sensitive system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level rather than merely affecting web application logic, making it a critical issue for any service that provides file access capabilities.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant impact for organizations using MP3Mystic, as it allows remote attackers to potentially access sensitive information without authentication. The attack vector is straightforward and requires only a web browser or any HTTP client capable of sending crafted requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access configuration files that might contain database credentials, user authentication details, or other system-specific information that could facilitate further attacks. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to traverse directories could potentially allow attackers to access system binaries, log files, or even execute code if the application is running with elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as it enables attackers to gather intelligence about the target system and potentially use this information for more sophisticated attacks.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0574 involve immediate patching of the MP3Mystic software to version 1.04b3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization at multiple layers including web application firewalls, proxy servers, and application-level controls to prevent malformed URLs from reaching the vulnerable service. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the MP3Mystic service to only trusted users and systems. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network services and applications. The fix typically involves implementing strict path validation that rejects or normalizes any path components containing directory traversal sequences, ensuring that all file access operations occur within predefined safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for the MP3Mystic service, running it with minimal required permissions to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts.