CVE-2002-0998 in CARE 2002
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cafenews.php for CARE 2002 before beta 1.0.02 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences and null characters in the lang parameter, which is processed by a call to the include function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0998 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the CARE 2002 software suite, specifically affecting versions prior to beta 1.0.02. This vulnerability resides in the cafenews.php component and demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. The flaw occurs when the application processes user-supplied input through the lang parameter without adequate sanitization or validation, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages both standard directory traversal sequences using double dots and null character manipulation, which can bypass many traditional input validation mechanisms. This combination of attack vectors significantly increases the exploitability and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from the application's improper handling of the lang parameter within a call to the include function. When the application accepts user input through this parameter and directly incorporates it into file inclusion operations, it creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious path sequences. The use of double dot sequences allows attackers to navigate up directory levels, while null characters can be employed to terminate strings prematurely, effectively circumventing basic input filtering. 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. The inclusion of null character manipulation further complicates the attack surface and aligns with techniques often categorized under CWE-170, dealing with improper handling of null characters in input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code depending on the system configuration. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system files such as password hashes, configuration files, and other sensitive data that may be stored in accessible directories. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to attempt exploitation, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This type of vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors. The ability to traverse directories and access arbitrary files significantly increases the potential for further compromise, including privilege escalation and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed by file inclusion functions. The primary remediation approach involves ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values, particularly for parameters that influence file access operations. Developers should avoid direct inclusion of user input in file paths and instead implement a mapping system that translates user-provided values to safe, predefined file paths. Additionally, the application should employ proper input filtering to remove or encode dangerous characters including dots, slashes, and null characters. System administrators should also implement proper file permissions and access controls to limit what files can be accessed even if a traversal attack were to succeed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both input validation and output encoding to prevent similar issues from occurring in future software releases.