CVE-2002-1411 in Photo Gallery System
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in update.dpgs in Duma Photo Gallery System (DPGS) 0.99.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The directory traversal vulnerability identified in CVE-2002-1411 affects the Duma Photo Gallery System version 0.99.4, specifically within the update.dpgs component. This flaw represents a classic path traversal attack vector that enables malicious actors to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters, particularly the id parameter that controls file access operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the DPGS system. When a user submits a request containing .. (dot dot) sequences in the id parameter, the application processes these sequences without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy. This occurs because the system does not properly restrict or filter special characters that indicate directory traversal attempts, enabling attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal access controls and retrieve unauthorized files from the server's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information including configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other confidential data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying file system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the application's data protection mechanisms, as it allows attackers to bypass authentication and authorization controls that should normally restrict access to system files.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions on compromised systems. The attack vector represents a common weakness in web applications that fail to implement proper input validation and sanitization, making it a frequent target for exploitation in web-based attacks. Organizations using vulnerable versions of DPGS should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper path normalization, and access control restrictions to prevent unauthorized file access.
The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the DPGS application to version 0.99.5 or later, which includes proper input validation for the id parameter. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input sanitization techniques that filter or escape special characters including dots and forward slashes in user-supplied parameters. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while access controls should be enforced to limit file system access to only necessary components. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.