CVE-2002-2369 in LiteServe
Summary
by MITRE
Perception LiteServe 2.0 allows remote attackers to read password protected files via a leading "/./" in a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2369 affects Perception LiteServe 2.0, a web server software that was widely used in the early 2000s for serving web content. This particular flaw represents a directory traversal attack vector that exploits how the software handles URL parsing, specifically when processing file paths that contain the sequence "/./" at the beginning of a URL. The vulnerability resides in the server's failure to properly sanitize and validate input paths, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper path resolution logic within the web server's URL handling mechanism. When a malicious user crafts a URL containing a leading "/./" sequence followed by a path to a protected file, the server incorrectly processes this input and grants access to content that should remain restricted. This occurs because the server fails to normalize the path properly, allowing the traversal sequence to bypass authentication mechanisms and access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to bypass authentication controls and access password-protected files without proper authorization. An attacker could potentially access sensitive documents, configuration files, or other protected resources that contain confidential information. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web servers that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of access control, allowing unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and gain access to restricted content that should only be available to authorized personnel.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader ATT&CK framework, specifically under the technique of privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability enables an attacker to move laterally within a network by accessing protected files that may contain credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive data. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to a patched version of Perception LiteServe, implementing proper input validation on all web server configurations, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that all web applications properly sanitize input and implement proper access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other software systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper path normalization techniques to prevent directory traversal attacks in web applications.