CVE-2001-0871 in Eye
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in HTTP server for Alchemy Eye and Alchemy Network Monitor allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via an HTTP request containing (1) a .. in versions 2.0 through 2.6.18, or (2) a DOS device name followed by a .. in versions 2.6.19 through 3.0.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
The CVE-2001-0871 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Alchemy Eye and Alchemy Network Monitor HTTP servers from versions 2.0 through 3.0.10. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web server's file path handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate file access requests. The flaw specifically manifests when the server processes HTTP requests containing specially crafted path sequences that bypass normal file access controls. The vulnerability operates under CWE-22, which categorizes 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 and directories outside the intended web root, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, and critical application data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through two distinct patterns depending on the affected version range. In versions 2.0 through 2.6.18, attackers can leverage simple directory traversal sequences containing double dots .. to navigate upward in the directory structure. This technique exploits the server's failure to properly sanitize path components in HTTP requests, allowing malicious users to access files beyond the web server's intended scope. For versions 2.6.19 through 3.0.10, the attack vector becomes more sophisticated by incorporating DOS device names followed by the .. sequence, which represents an evolution in the exploitation methodology. This approach demonstrates the vulnerability's progression and the attackers' increasing sophistication in bypassing security controls. The underlying mechanism operates at the HTTP protocol level where the server fails to properly resolve and validate file paths before processing requests, creating a fundamental gap in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-0871 extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, representing a severe threat to system integrity and data confidentiality. Remote attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data. The Alchemy Eye and Alchemy Network Monitor products are typically deployed in network security environments where they handle critical monitoring and alerting functions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous. Attackers could leverage this flaw to access network configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability's ability to facilitate arbitrary code execution places it within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion categories, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially establish persistent access points. Organizations using these products face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized network access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0871 require immediate attention and comprehensive implementation across affected systems. The primary remediation involves upgrading to patched versions of Alchemy Eye and Alchemy Network Monitor software, as vendors would have released security updates addressing the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level, including implementing proper path normalization and validation routines that reject suspicious path sequences containing .. or DOS device names. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on suspicious HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns, which aligns with ATT&CK techniques for command and control communication. Additionally, security administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all network monitoring equipment to identify similar vulnerabilities in other products, as this attack pattern represents a common exploitation technique in network security tools. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web server implementations, particularly for applications handling sensitive network monitoring data.