CVE-2002-0347 in Cobalt Raq
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Cobalt RAQ 4 allows remote attackers to read password-protected files, and possibly files outside the web root, via a .. (dot dot) in an HTTP request.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2014
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0347 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Cobalt RAQ 4 web server platform that fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of the system. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server's request processing logic, allowing malicious actors to manipulate HTTP requests through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. The vulnerability specifically affects the Cobalt RAQ 4 appliance, which was designed as a comprehensive web application server solution that combined web serving capabilities with integrated application development and deployment features. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially access sensitive files that should remain protected within the web root directory structure, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this platform for web hosting and application delivery.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the web server's failure to properly sanitize and validate directory path components within HTTP requests. When a client submits a request containing directory traversal sequences, the server processes these components without adequate filtering or normalization, allowing the attacker to navigate beyond the intended web root directory. This weakness 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 vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard HTTP protocols without requiring special privileges or advanced techniques. The attack vector is straightforward and accessible, involving the insertion of .. or equivalent directory navigation sequences into URL paths, which then get processed by the vulnerable web server without proper validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0347 extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the potential to read sensitive system files, configuration data, and password-protected resources that should remain isolated from public access. This includes the possibility of accessing authentication credentials, database connection strings, application configuration files, and other sensitive information that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's ability to potentially access files outside the web root directory creates an even more severe risk, as it could enable attackers to read system-level files such as password files, system configuration information, or other sensitive data that should never be exposed to web clients. Organizations utilizing Cobalt RAQ 4 systems would face significant operational disruption if this vulnerability were exploited, as it could result in data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential complete system compromise. The attack's low complexity and high impact align with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers File and Directory Discovery, as attackers could systematically explore the file system to identify and access sensitive resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate exploitation risk and the underlying architectural weakness in the web server's input handling mechanisms. The primary recommendation involves implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization for all directory path components within HTTP requests, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly rejected or normalized before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and file system permissions that limit the web server's access to only necessary directories, following the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability's exploitation can be effectively prevented through the implementation of web application firewalls or security filters that detect and block directory traversal patterns in incoming requests. Additionally, regular security auditing and penetration testing of web applications and servers should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of the system. The remediation process should also include updating the Cobalt RAQ 4 platform to versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the original implementation contained fundamental flaws in its path validation logic that required architectural changes to resolve properly.