CVE-2002-0447 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Xerver Free Web Server 2.10 and earlier allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a .. (dot dot) in an HTTP GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2019
The CVE-2002-0447 vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw that affected the Xerver Free Web Server version 2.10 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web server's handling of HTTP GET requests containing directory traversal sequences. The flaw specifically manifests when the server processes requests containing the .. (dot dot) sequence which is commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP GET requests that include these traversal sequences, enabling them to access files and directories beyond the intended web root directory. The vulnerability fundamentally compromises the web server's access control mechanisms, allowing unauthorized enumeration and potential access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and user information stored outside the designated web content directories.
This directory traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw operates by bypassing normal file system access controls through manipulation of the URL path parameter in HTTP requests. When the web server processes a request containing .. sequences, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before resolving the file path, leading to the exposure of arbitrary directory contents. The technical implementation involves the web server's file system functions not properly checking whether the requested path remains within the designated document root directory boundaries. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can allow attackers to traverse the entire file system hierarchy from the web server's perspective, potentially accessing system configuration files, user credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from external access.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0447 extends beyond simple directory listing capabilities to represent a significant security risk for systems running vulnerable versions of Xerver Free Web Server. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities by enumerating directory structures, identifying sensitive files, and potentially accessing critical system information. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to potentially sensitive data including but not limited to database files, application configuration settings, user authentication data, and system logs. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits well within the initial access and reconnaissance phase of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information). The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the web server, undermining the basic assumption that web content is isolated from the underlying file system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0447 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures within their web server configurations to prevent processing of .. sequences in file paths. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional layers of protection by restricting access to the web server from untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts. Security administrators should also conduct thorough audits of web server configurations to ensure that no unnecessary directory listing capabilities remain enabled, and that proper access controls are enforced at the file system level. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other web server implementations, as directory traversal vulnerabilities remain prevalent across various web server platforms and applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control implementation in web server security models, emphasizing that even seemingly simple path traversal sequences can lead to significant security breaches.