CVE-2001-0841 in Ikonboard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Search.cgi in Ikonboard ib219 and earlier allows remote attackers to overwrite files and gain privileges via .. (dot dot) sequences in the amembernamecookie cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0841 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Ikonboard web application version 2.19 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the search.cgi script which processes user input through the amembernamecookie parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate file system access patterns. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict directory navigation sequences, allowing malicious actors to exploit the application's file handling routines.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through the manipulation of dot-dot sequences within the cookie parameter, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended application directories and access arbitrary files on the server. The exploitation technique leverages the fundamental weakness in how the application processes file paths, where user-supplied input containing .. sequences is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper validation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows attackers to access files outside the web root directory, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to overwrite critical system files and potentially gain elevated privileges within the application environment. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code, modify application configuration files, or access sensitive user data stored on the server. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that cookies are typically automatically transmitted by web browsers, making exploitation straightforward and potentially automated.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected Ikonboard installations to version 2.20 or later where the directory traversal issue has been addressed. Input validation and sanitization measures must be strengthened to filter out or escape special characters including dots and forward slashes that could be used in directory traversal attacks. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation within the application architecture is essential to limit the damage that could occur even if such vulnerabilities are exploited. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns and cookie manipulation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional defense in depth against similar traversal attacks that may target other applications within their infrastructure.