CVE-2002-0946 in Devwex
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in SeaNox Devwex before 1.2002.0601 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ..\ (dot dot) sequences in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0946 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the SeaNox Devwex web application framework prior to version 1.2002.0601. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied HTTP request parameters containing directory traversal sequences. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes ..\ (dot dot) sequences in file paths without adequate restrictions, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal or path traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in web application security. When an attacker crafts an HTTP request containing sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar path manipulation attempts, the vulnerable application processes these inputs without proper validation, resulting in unauthorized file access. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard HTTP methods, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0946 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other privileged information that may contain authentication tokens, connection strings, or other confidential data. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes the exploitation of data access vulnerabilities to obtain sensitive information from systems. In a real-world scenario, this could enable attackers to escalate privileges, conduct further reconnaissance, or establish persistent access to the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the SeaNox Devwex application to version 1.2002.0601 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at the application level, including the enforcement of strict file path validation and the removal of special characters from user-supplied inputs. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking suspicious path traversal attempts. Security monitoring should include the detection of unusual file access patterns and directory traversal attempts in web server logs, which can serve as indicators of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing proper access controls and following the principle of least privilege to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.