CVE-2001-1461 in SecurID
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in WebID in RSA Security SecurID 5.0 as used by ACE/Agent for Windows, Windows NT and Windows 2000 allows attackers to access restricted resources via URL-encoded (1) /.. or (2) \.. sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1461 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed within the WebID component of RSA Security SecurID 5.0 implementation for Windows operating systems. This security weakness specifically affected ACE/Agent deployments on Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows platforms, creating a significant pathway for unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web server component that processes user requests, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file path references through URL encoding techniques that exploit the underlying operating system's directory navigation capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL-encoded sequences that represent directory traversal attempts. Attackers can append either encoded forward slash followed by two dots and a forward slash /.. or backslash followed by two dots and a backslash \.. to their requests, effectively moving up the directory tree and accessing files or directories that should normally be restricted. This flaw directly relates to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates how inadequate input sanitization can lead to arbitrary file access and potentially system compromise, as the web server fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied path information before processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to execute more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access sensitive configuration files, system binaries, or other restricted resources that contain critical information about the system's operation or security configuration. This access could lead to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or even complete system compromise depending on the permissions and access controls in place. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and authorization mechanisms of the SecurID implementation, potentially undermining the entire security framework that the system was designed to protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures within the web server component. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is properly validated and that any path traversal sequences are either rejected or properly resolved within a restricted directory context. The implementation of proper access controls and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls or intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving path traversal and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures and security monitoring. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in web applications and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future implementations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping security software up to date and following security best practices for web application development and deployment.