CVE-2001-1586 in SimpleServer:WWW
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in SimpleServer:WWW 1.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary programs via encoded ../ ("%2E%2E%2F%") sequences in a request to the cgi-bin/ directory, a different vulnerability than CVE-2000-0664.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1586 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting SimpleServer:WWW version 1.13 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the web server's handling of URL-encoded directory traversal sequences, specifically the "%2E%2E%2F" pattern that translates to "../" in standard URL encoding. The vulnerability operates within the cgi-bin/ directory context, making it particularly dangerous as this area typically contains executable scripts and programs that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical mechanism behind this flaw involves the web server's insufficient input validation and path resolution processes. When a remote attacker submits a request containing the encoded directory traversal sequence, the server fails to properly sanitize the input before processing the file path. This allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended web root directory and potentially access restricted system files or execute unauthorized programs. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2000-0664, indicating it represents a separate code path or implementation issue within the SimpleServer software.
From an operational perspective, this directory traversal vulnerability presents significant risks to system integrity and data confidentiality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive server files, including configuration data, user credentials, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability affects any system running SimpleServer:WWW versions 1.13 or earlier, making it a widespread concern for organizations with legacy web server implementations.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack pattern follows established methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059, which encompasses executing malicious code through command injection and path manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of SimpleServer:WWW, implementing proper input validation for all web requests, and restricting access to cgi-bin directories through proper authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The remediation strategy should focus on comprehensive patch management to upgrade to SimpleServer:WWW versions that properly address this directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent malformed URL sequences from reaching the web server. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web server implementations. System administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious directory traversal attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.