CVE-2002-0465 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in filemanager.asp for Hosting Controller 1.4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to read and modify arbitrary files, and execute commands, via a .. (dot dot) in the OpenPath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0465 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the filemanager.asp component of Hosting Controller version 1.4.1 and earlier. This weakness resides in the improper validation of user-supplied input within the OpenPath parameter, which fails to adequately sanitize or restrict directory navigation sequences. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file system access by injecting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, thereby bypassing intended access controls and potentially gaining unauthorized system access. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary file reading, modification, and command execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for web-based hosting environments where multiple users share system resources. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it highly exploitable in unpatched systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious OpenPath parameter containing directory traversal sequences to the vulnerable filemanager.asp script. The application processes this input without proper validation, allowing the .. sequences to navigate upward through the directory structure and access files outside the intended web root or restricted directories. This flaw can be leveraged to read sensitive system files, access configuration data, modify critical application files, or even execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The impact is particularly severe in hosting environments where multiple customers share the same server infrastructure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise or unauthorized access to other customers' data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate access control mechanisms, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at multiple layers of application architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0465 extends far beyond immediate system compromise, as it provides attackers with persistent access to critical system resources that can be used for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within network environments. Organizations utilizing affected Hosting Controller versions face significant risk of data breaches, system corruption, and potential regulatory violations due to the exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059 demonstrates its potential for command execution capabilities, while T1005 indicates data harvesting through file access. Security professionals must consider the broader implications of such vulnerabilities in hosting environments, as they often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. Organizations should also consider the potential for cascading effects when multiple systems share similar vulnerabilities, as attackers can leverage these weaknesses to move laterally across networks and compromise additional systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0465 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences, particularly the .. (dot dot) notation. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests. The hosting controller software must be updated to version 1.4.2 or later, which includes patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, restricting file system permissions, and conducting regular security audits of web applications can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security measures should also include monitoring for unusual file access patterns and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, including regular code reviews and security testing procedures that specifically target input validation weaknesses. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing hosting configurations while maintaining the security integrity of the hosting environment.