CVE-2002-0784 in Lidik Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Lysias Lidik web server 0.7b allows remote attackers to list directories via an HTTP request with a ... (modified dot dot).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0784 represents a directory traversal flaw in the Lysias Lidik web server version 0.7b, classified under CWE-22 as improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access files and directories beyond the intended web root by manipulating HTTP requests through the use of modified dot-dot sequences. The vulnerability specifically exploits how the web server processes pathnames containing multiple consecutive dot-dot combinations, which should normally be restricted to prevent access to parent directories.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the Lysias Lidik web server fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming HTTP requests that contain directory traversal sequences. Attackers can construct malicious requests using the ... (three dots) pattern to navigate upward through the directory structure, effectively bypassing access controls that should restrict file system access to the web server's designated document root. This type of vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0784 extends beyond simple directory listing capabilities, as it can potentially allow attackers to access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, system logs, and other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate attacks by gaining access to system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This weakness directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries attempt to enumerate files and directories to understand the target system's structure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing with Malicious Attachments, as attackers might use this weakness to discover and retrieve malicious files that could be used for further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of the Lysias Lidik web server to a version that properly sanitizes pathname inputs and validates directory access requests. System administrators should implement proper input validation mechanisms that reject or normalize directory traversal sequences in HTTP requests. The web server configuration should enforce strict path restrictions and implement proper access controls that prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and block suspicious requests containing directory traversal patterns. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web server configurations, as this type of weakness often indicates broader issues with input validation and access control implementation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web server security design, where all user-supplied data should be rigorously validated before being processed by the application.