CVE-2002-1437 in NetWare
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web handler for Perl 5.003 on Novell NetWare 5.1 and NetWare 6 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an HTTP request containing "..%5c" (URL-encoded dot-dot backslash) sequences.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1437 represents a critical directory traversal flaw that specifically affected Perl 5.003 installations running on Novell NetWare 5.1 and NetWare 6 operating systems. This issue emerged within the web handler component of the Perl interpreter, which was responsible for processing HTTP requests and serving web content. The vulnerability exploited a fundamental flaw in how the system handled path resolution when processing URL-encoded sequences, creating an avenue for unauthorized file access that could potentially expose sensitive system information.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of path traversal sequences using URL-encoded dot-dot backslash combinations represented as "..%5c". When a remote attacker crafted an HTTP request containing these specific sequences, the web handler would incorrectly interpret the path traversal attempts, allowing access to files outside the intended web root directory. This flaw specifically targeted the path normalization process within the Perl web handler, where the system failed to properly sanitize or validate input containing these particular traversal patterns. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous because it leveraged standard URL encoding practices that would typically be considered safe, making detection and prevention more challenging for system administrators.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provided attackers with the potential to read system configuration files, user data, and other sensitive information stored on the affected servers. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain insights into system architecture, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability was particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Novell NetWare servers hosted critical applications and data, as successful exploitation could compromise entire server infrastructures and lead to significant data breaches or service disruptions.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of path traversal flaws that fall under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The attack vector aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering system information, where adversaries seek to understand the target environment to plan further attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, proper path normalization within web handlers, and restricting file access permissions to prevent unauthorized traversal attempts. Additionally, upgrading to patched versions of Perl 5.003 or migrating to more secure operating systems would provide long-term protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the importance of proper input validation and the potential risks associated with legacy systems that may not receive ongoing security updates or patches.