CVE-2002-1603 in Webserver
Summary
by MITRE
GoAhead Web Server 2.1.7 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain the source code of ASP files via a URL terminated with a /, \, %2f (encoded /), %20 (encoded space), or %00 (encoded null) character, which returns the ASP source code unparsed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1603 affects the GoAhead Web Server version 2.1.7 and earlier, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive source code components to remote attackers. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of URL path traversal sequences within the web server's processing logic, specifically when encountering certain character terminators that should normally be interpreted as directory separators or path delimiters. The flaw exists in the server's interpretation of URLs that end with forward slashes, backslashes, or their URL-encoded equivalents, which creates an unintended code path that bypasses normal ASP file processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the web server's failure to properly sanitize or validate URL path components before serving content. When a request is made to an ASP file with any of the specified terminating characters including forward slash / backslash \ percent encoded forward slash %2f percent encoded space %20 or percent encoded null %00 the server fails to properly parse the request and instead returns the raw ASP source code rather than executing it as intended. This occurs because the server's internal path resolution logic does not adequately distinguish between legitimate directory navigation requests and malicious attempts to access source code through improper URL termination sequences. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to obtain complete source code of ASP applications without authentication or authorization, potentially exposing sensitive business logic database connection strings application architecture and other proprietary code elements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed ASP source code can reveal critical system information including database connection parameters, application logic, and architectural details that attackers can leverage for further exploitation. This information disclosure can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as SQL injection exploitation, application logic manipulation, or credential harvesting from source code comments and configuration elements. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by enabling unauthorized access to sensitive source code, and can be categorized under CWE-200 Information Exposure, which specifically addresses improper information handling that leads to disclosure of sensitive data. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566 Initial Access and T1595 Active Scanning, as attackers can systematically probe for and exploit this flaw to gain access to source code repositories and application internals.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1603 require immediate implementation of server updates to versions that properly handle URL path termination sequences and prevent source code disclosure. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to ensure that URL paths are correctly processed regardless of termination characters. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of web servers to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other web applications and servers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper URL handling in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that includes path traversal scenarios and URL encoding variations to prevent similar information disclosure vulnerabilities from being introduced in future web server implementations.