CVE-2002-0288 in Phusion Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Phusion web server 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ... (triple dot dot) in the HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0288 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Phusion web server version 1.0 that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing mechanism, specifically failing to properly sanitize or normalize path references that contain directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability manifests when the web server encounters a triple dot sequence or similar traversal patterns in HTTP requests, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended document root directory and access sensitive files that should remain restricted.
This directory traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw exploits the fundamental assumption that all file access requests will remain within the designated web root directory, failing to account for maliciously crafted paths that attempt to escape this boundary through relative path references. The Phusion web server 1.0 implementation lacks proper path normalization and validation, allowing attackers to construct requests that bypass access controls and retrieve files such as configuration files, database contents, system credentials, or other sensitive information that should not be publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system resources and potentially escalate their privileges. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve system configuration files, application source code, database files, or even system binaries, depending on the server's configuration and the attacker's level of access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit and can be executed through standard web browser requests, making it highly accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge. This weakness creates a foundation for further exploitation, including potential privilege escalation attacks, system compromise, and data exfiltration operations that can significantly impact organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0288 should focus on implementing proper input validation and path normalization mechanisms within the web server configuration. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of the Phusion web server or migrate to more modern, secure web server implementations that properly handle path traversal attempts. The recommended approach includes implementing strict path validation that rejects requests containing directory traversal sequences, normalizing all file paths to prevent escape attempts, and enforcing proper access controls that limit file system access to authorized users only. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use this weakness to discover sensitive files and potentially extract credentials or other valuable information for further attacks.