CVE-2002-2240 in MyServer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in MyServer 0.11 and 0.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ".." (dot dot) in an HTTP GET request.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-2240 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed in MyServer versions 0.11 and 0.2, demonstrating how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security implications. This issue falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability occurs when a web server fails to properly sanitize user input, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths through sequences like ".." that navigate up directory levels. In the context of MyServer, this weakness was particularly dangerous because it enabled remote attackers to access files that should have been restricted to authorized users only.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves constructing HTTP GET requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\", which when processed by the vulnerable server, allow the attacker to navigate through the file system beyond the intended web root directory. When the server processes these malformed requests without proper validation, it can retrieve and serve files from arbitrary locations on the system, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and other confidential information. The attack is particularly effective because it requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it a significant concern for any web server implementation that fails to properly validate file path inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources and potentially escalate their privileges further. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, especially if attackers can access configuration files that contain database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive authentication tokens. The vulnerability also aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the initial access and privilege escalation domains, as it provides an entry point for adversaries to gather intelligence and potentially move laterally within a network. Organizations running affected versions of MyServer were particularly vulnerable because the flaw existed in the core file handling mechanism of the server software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2240 primarily focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent directory traversal attacks. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects any input containing sequences like ".." or similar path traversal patterns before they can be processed by the server. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and file system permissions to limit what files can be accessed even if traversal attempts are successful. Additionally, updating to patched versions of MyServer or migrating to more modern server software that properly handles file path validation would eliminate this vulnerability entirely. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, and conduct regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems that may be running in the environment.