CVE-2001-0805 in Tarantella Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ttawebtop.cgi in Tarantella Enterprise 3.00 and 3.01 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the pg parameter.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0805 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed in the Tarantella Enterprise 3.00 and 3.01 web application components. This issue specifically affects the ttawebtop.cgi script which serves as a web interface for the Tarantella enterprise remote access solution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the file system operations. When attackers exploit this weakness, they can manipulate the pg parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as .. which allows them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain protected.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially retrieve sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should not be accessible through the web interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects enterprise-level remote access solutions where unauthorized access to system files could lead to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The attack vector is straightforward and does not require authentication, making it especially dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially leading to further exploitation attempts. Attackers could use this vulnerability to access system configuration files, log files, or other sensitive data that might reveal system architecture, user information, or other attack vectors. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise environments where Tarantella was used for remote desktop and application access, as it could allow unauthorized users to gain insights into the organization's infrastructure and potentially escalate privileges. This vulnerability directly aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, including privilege escalation and credential access, as it provides a method for attackers to obtain unauthorized access to system resources.
The remediation for CVE-2001-0805 requires implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the ttawebtop.cgi script. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input parameters are thoroughly validated and that directory traversal sequences are explicitly blocked or neutralized before any file system operations are performed. The solution involves implementing proper path validation that prevents the use of .. sequences or any other characters that could be used to navigate directories outside the intended scope. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls or security modules that can detect and block such traversal attempts. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of Tarantella Enterprise would eliminate this vulnerability, as vendors typically address such flaws through security updates. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, as directory traversal remains one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws encountered in enterprise environments.