CVE-2002-1525 in Sunone Starter Kit
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ASTAware SearchDisk engine for Sun ONE Starter Kit 2.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) attack on port (1) 6015 or (2) 6016, or (3) an absolute pathname to port 6017.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The CVE-2002-1525 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the ASTAware SearchDisk engine component of Sun ONE Starter Kit 2.0, exposing multiple attack vectors through specific network ports. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied paths before processing file requests. The flaw specifically affects three distinct ports: 6015, 6016, and 6017, each presenting unique attack surface characteristics that collectively amplify the exploitation potential. The vulnerability operates by allowing remote attackers to manipulate path resolution through directory traversal sequences, particularly leveraging the .. (dot dot) notation to navigate outside intended directories. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which classifies path traversal vulnerabilities as a fundamental security flaw involving insufficient validation of file paths. The attack methodology exploits the SearchDisk engine's failure to properly validate and normalize file paths, enabling adversaries to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the underlying file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the SearchDisk engine processes incoming requests through the specified ports without adequate sanitization of path parameters. When an attacker sends a request containing directory traversal sequences to ports 6015 or 6016, the engine fails to properly validate the input, allowing the .. sequences to be interpreted as legitimate navigation commands rather than malicious path manipulation attempts. For port 6017, the vulnerability extends to absolute pathnames, where attackers can specify complete file paths directly, bypassing the normal directory structure validation. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential information stored on the affected server. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read system files, application configuration, database credentials, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from remote access. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple ports increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of simple port-based network segmentation as a protective measure.
The exploitation of CVE-2002-1525 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can systematically enumerate and access files that would normally be protected. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further exploitation through the acquisition of sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or additional attack vectors. Organizations running Sun ONE Starter Kit 2.0 are particularly at risk as this vulnerability affects a core search functionality that is likely to be exposed to untrusted network traffic. The security implications include potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments where sensitive information is stored on the affected systems. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper path handling in web applications and network services, as even seemingly benign search functions can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1525 require immediate implementation of input validation controls and proper path normalization techniques to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should implement strict validation of all path parameters received through the affected ports, rejecting any input containing .. sequences or absolute path references. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the vulnerable ports 6015, 6016, and 6017, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CERT/CC secure coding guidelines, particularly focusing on proper input validation and output encoding. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the system architecture, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern that can exist in various forms across different software components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.