CVE-2001-0633 in Chilisoft
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Sun Chili!Soft ASP on multiple Unixes allows a remote attacker to read arbitrary files above the web root via a .. (dot dot) attack in the sample script codebrws.asp .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0633 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Sun ChiliSoft ASP distribution, making it a prime target for remote attackers seeking unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended web root directory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the .. (dot dot) sequence in file paths, a well-known pattern used to traverse directory hierarchies. When the codebrws.asp script processes user input without proper sanitization, it directly incorporates the malicious path components into file system operations, enabling attackers to access files that should remain restricted. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the fundamental weakness of insufficient path validation, which is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from arbitrary locations on the server's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive application resources. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. The vulnerability affects multiple Unix platforms, indicating a widespread exposure across different system architectures and potentially impacting various enterprise environments that deployed Chili!Soft ASP solutions. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the discovered information to plan further attacks or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the ChiliSoft ASP implementation with more secure alternatives represents the most robust long-term solution. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure and monitor for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.