CVE-2001-1204 in PHP Rocket Add-In
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in phprocketaddin in Total PC Solutions PHP Rocket Add-in for FrontPage 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1204 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed within the phprocketaddin component of Total PC Solutions PHP Rocket Add-in for FrontPage version 1.0. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw was particularly significant because it affected a component designed to integrate PHP functionality with Microsoft FrontPage, creating a bridge between web server scripting and content management systems that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from inadequate input validation within the phprocketaddin module. When the application processed requests containing a page parameter with directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot), it failed to properly sanitize or restrict the input before using it to access file system resources. This allowed attackers to manipulate the path resolution mechanism and navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries to access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability was specifically exploitable through HTTP requests that included the .. sequence in the page parameter, enabling attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive files including configuration data, source code, or other confidential information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability posed significant risks to web server security and data integrity. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access files that should have been restricted, potentially including database connection details, administrative scripts, or other sensitive components. The impact was particularly severe because the affected software was designed for use in web environments where it could be accessed by remote users. The vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise if attackers gained access to critical system files or configuration data, and it also provided a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as attackers could use the traversal capability to map out the file system structure and identify sensitive locations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrated how seemingly minor input validation flaws could create substantial security risks in web applications. The attack vector was straightforward and could be executed without requiring special privileges or advanced technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous. Organizations running affected systems were vulnerable to data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability also highlighted the importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web application development. Remediation efforts required patching the affected component, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, and ensuring that all file access operations were properly restricted to intended directories. This incident underscored the critical need for security testing and code review processes to identify and address similar path traversal vulnerabilities in web applications and server components.