CVE-2002-1422 in FUDforum
Summary
by MITRE
admbrowse.php in FUDforum before 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to create or delete files via URL-encoded pathnames in the cur and dest parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1422 affects the admbrowse.php component of FUDforum versions prior to 2.2.0, representing a critical path traversal and file manipulation flaw that exposes the application to remote code execution and unauthorized file system operations. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative file browsing functionality where the cur and dest parameters are processed without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file paths through URL-encoded sequences. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized file creation and deletion operations within the application's file system, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data destruction. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security that has been consistently identified across numerous applications over the years.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious URL parameters containing encoded directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file access controls. When the admbrowse.php script processes these URL-encoded pathnames, it fails to validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations, allowing the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory structure and execute arbitrary file operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative interface level, where elevated privileges are typically required for such operations, but the lack of proper input validation means that even unauthenticated attackers can potentially exploit this flaw to perform destructive actions on the server. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and inadequate access control mechanisms within the application's file management functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1422 extends beyond simple file manipulation to encompass potential complete system compromise, data loss, and service disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can create malicious files that may contain backdoors, web shells, or other malicious code that persists on the server even after the initial exploit is complete. The ability to delete critical system files or configuration data can lead to service outages and data corruption that may require extensive recovery efforts. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges or gain access to sensitive information stored within the application's file system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts: Default Accounts, as it allows for unauthorized file system access that can be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1486 for Data Encrypted for Ransomware, as the ability to delete files can be used in conjunction with ransomware attacks to maximize damage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to FUDforum version 2.2.0 or later where the vulnerability has been patched, applying input validation and sanitization to all file path parameters, implementing proper access controls for administrative functions, and conducting thorough security audits of file system operations within web applications. The patch for this vulnerability typically involves adding proper input validation to the cur and dest parameters in admbrowse.php, ensuring that all path traversals are properly sanitized and that the application operates within restricted directories. Additional security measures should include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, monitoring file system operations for suspicious activity, and establishing proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for administrative functions and regularly review file system permissions to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper access control mechanisms in preventing unauthorized file system operations that can lead to complete system compromise.