CVE-2002-1761 in PHProjekt
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in PHProjekt 2.0 through 3.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1761 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting PHProjekt versions 2.0 through 3.1. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically leverages the .. (dot dot) sequence commonly used in file path navigation to move up directory levels and access files outside the intended web root or application directories. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category known as "Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory" and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information through directory traversal methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when PHProjekt applications fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used in file operations. Attackers can craft malicious requests containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd or similar path traversal patterns to access sensitive system files, configuration files, or application source code. The flaw exists in the application's file handling routines where input parameters specifying file paths are directly used without adequate validation or sanitization. This allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to critical system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated attacks and exploitation frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers may access database configuration files containing credentials, application source code revealing implementation details, or system configuration files that could aid in further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the affected systems, potentially exposing sensitive information that could be used for privilege escalation or additional attacks. Organizations running vulnerable PHProjekt installations face significant risk of unauthorized data access and system compromise, particularly in environments where these applications serve critical business functions or handle sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1761 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PHProjekt installations to the latest available versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized path traversal attempts, including the use of allowlists for acceptable file paths and strict validation of user-supplied input. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security updates to maintain protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as fundamental security controls that should be integrated into all application development processes.