CVE-2002-1860 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Pramati Server 3.0, when running on Windows, allows remote attackers to retrieve files in the WEB-INF directory, which contains Java class files and configuration information, via a request to the WEB-INF directory with a trailing dot ("WEB-INF.").
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1860 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Pramati Server 3.0 running on Windows platforms. This issue stems from improper input validation and path handling within the web server's file access mechanisms, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the WEB-INF directory. The WEB-INF directory typically contains critical application components including Java class files, deployment descriptors, and configuration information that should remain protected from public access. The vulnerability manifests when a remote attacker crafts a specific request containing a trailing dot in the WEB-INF path, exploiting a weakness in the server's path resolution logic that fails to properly sanitize or validate the requested file paths.
This flaw directly relates to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability enables attackers to access files that should be protected within the application's security boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The trailing dot technique exploits a specific parsing behavior in the server's file handling mechanism where the dot character is not properly normalized or stripped from the path, allowing the server to interpret the request as accessing files within the protected WEB-INF directory structure. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and access control implementation within the web server's core file access routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with access to sensitive application components that could contain critical configuration data, database connection strings, authentication parameters, and application logic that could be used for privilege escalation or further system compromise. The exposure of Java class files and configuration information could enable attackers to understand the application architecture and potentially identify additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, as it allows unauthorized access to restricted directories that should normally be protected from public viewing. The ability to retrieve WEB-INF contents could expose sensitive data that might include cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks against the system or application.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to a patched version of Pramati Server 3.0 or implementing proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to sensitive directories, while web application firewalls should be deployed to detect and block malicious requests attempting to access protected paths. The server configuration should be reviewed to ensure that directory traversal protection mechanisms are properly implemented, and all applications should be audited for similar path traversal vulnerabilities. Additionally, access controls should be enforced at multiple levels including file system permissions, web server configurations, and application-level access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive directories and files that should remain protected from public view.