CVE-2002-1083 in ezContents
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerabilities in ezContents 1.41 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause ezContents to (1) create directories using the Maintain Images:Add New:Create Subdirectory item, or (2) list directories using the Maintain Images file listing, via .. (dot dot) sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1083 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in ezContents version 1.41 and earlier systems. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of file and directory operations within its image management functionality. The flaw specifically affects two distinct operational paths within the ezContents interface where users can interact with the file system through the Maintain Images section. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict directory navigation sequences, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file system access through specially crafted path references.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of directory path sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, which is a standard method for traversing directory hierarchies in Unix-like and Windows file systems. When attackers exploit this vulnerability, they can leverage the Maintain Images:Add New:Create Subdirectory functionality to create directories outside of the intended application scope, or alternatively use the Maintain Images file listing feature to enumerate directories beyond the application's designated file system boundaries. This represents a classic directory traversal attack pattern that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper input validation. The 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 operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file system access, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially create malicious directories or files that could be used for further exploitation. This could enable attackers to establish persistent access points within the application's file system or to manipulate the application's behavior through directory creation. The ability to list directories beyond the intended scope also allows for reconnaissance activities, enabling attackers to map the application's file system structure and identify potentially sensitive files or directories that might contain credentials, configuration data, or other valuable information. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics, as it enables both reconnaissance and potential privilege escalation activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that explicitly reject or filter out directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application's file system operations. The implementation should include strict path validation that ensures all file and directory operations occur within predetermined safe directories, with no allowance for parent directory references. Additionally, the application should employ proper access controls and privilege separation to ensure that file system operations are performed with minimal necessary permissions. Security measures should also include logging and monitoring of file system operations to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms to prevent malicious path sequences from reaching the vulnerable application components, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application functionalities.