CVE-2002-0466 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Hosting Controller 1.4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to browse arbitrary directories via a full C: style pathname in the filepath arguments to (1) Statsbrowse.asp, (2) servubrowse.asp, (3) browsedisk.asp, (4) browsewebalizerexe.asp, or (5) sqlbrowse.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2019
This vulnerability exists in Hosting Controller version 1.4.1 and earlier, representing a classic directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. The issue stems from inadequate input validation within several ASP scripts including Statsbrowse.asp, servubrowse.asp, browsedisk.asp, browsewebalizerexe.asp, and sqlbrowse.asp. These scripts accept filepath arguments that are processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the directory path using full Windows-style pathname syntax. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers provide malicious path arguments that include directory traversal sequences such as ..\ or \\, which can be exploited to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information stored on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory traversal methods used by adversaries to explore system directories and locate valuable data. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass the intended file access controls by manipulating the filepath parameters passed to these specific ASP scripts, potentially exposing critical system information, application source code, or database files that should remain protected within the application's designated directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access potentially sensitive files that could contain authentication credentials, database connection strings, application configuration details, or other system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker could potentially access web server configuration files, application source code, or even system-level files that might contain passwords or other sensitive data. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects multiple scripts within the hosting controller application, increasing the attack surface and providing multiple potential entry points for exploitation. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it especially concerning from a security perspective.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters within the affected ASP scripts, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated before being processed. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches or updates that address this specific vulnerability, as the issue has been resolved in later versions of Hosting Controller. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and restricting the privileges of the web application user account can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. Network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to these specific ASP scripts, or implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts, should also be considered. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as fundamental security controls that should be implemented throughout application development to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.