CVE-2002-0203 in Tarantella
Summary
by MITRE
ttawebtop.cgi in Tarantella Enterprise 3.20 on SPARC Solaris and Linux, and 3.1x and 3.0x including 3.11.903, allows remote attackers to view directory contents via an empty pg parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0203 affects the Tarantella Enterprise remote access software version 3.20 running on SPARC Solaris and Linux platforms, as well as versions 3.1x and 3.0x including the specific 3.11.903 release. This issue resides within the ttawebtop.cgi component which serves as a web interface for remote desktop functionality. The flaw manifests when the web application processes an empty pg parameter, creating a directory traversal condition that allows unauthorized remote access to system directories. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that undermines the security boundaries of the remote access solution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ttawebtop.cgi script. When an attacker submits a request containing an empty pg parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before using it in file system operations. This lack of proper parameter validation creates an opportunity for directory traversal attacks where the application interprets the empty parameter as a directive to traverse system directories. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based interface component that handles remote desktop sessions, making it accessible through standard web browser interactions without requiring authentication credentials.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing Tarantella Enterprise for remote access management. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to enumerate directory structures and potentially access sensitive files that should remain protected within the system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with knowledge of the underlying system architecture, file permissions, and potentially sensitive data stored in accessible directories. This information can serve as a foundation for further exploitation attempts, including privilege escalation or additional attack vectors targeting the underlying operating systems. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, amplifying its potential impact across various deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor patches or updates to the Tarantella Enterprise software to address the input validation flaws in the ttawebtop.cgi component. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected web interface, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization within the web application can prevent similar issues from occurring. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a typical attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal issues within other web applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.