CVE-2003-0425 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Apple QuickTime / Darwin Streaming Server before 4.1.3f allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ... (triple dot) in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0425 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Apple QuickTime and Darwin Streaming Server versions prior to 4.1.3f. This security weakness arises from insufficient input validation in the HTTP request processing component of these media streaming servers, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes HTTP requests containing triple dot sequences that are not properly sanitized or normalized, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access protected files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly canonicalize or resolve path references in HTTP requests. When a malicious request contains sequences such as ".../...", the server does not adequately process these path traversal attempts, enabling attackers to craft requests that bypass normal file access controls. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows attackers to access files that should be restricted, potentially including system configuration files, user data, or sensitive application resources that are not intended to be publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to retrieve sensitive information from the affected server. Remote exploitation of this flaw could enable unauthorized access to system files, application data, or configuration information that might reveal network topology, authentication credentials, or other sensitive details. The vulnerability affects not only the media streaming capabilities but also compromises the overall security posture of systems running affected versions of Apple QuickTime or Darwin Streaming Server. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into system architecture, potentially leading to further exploitation attempts or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of patches provided by Apple for Darwin Streaming Server version 4.1.3f and subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to streaming servers and restrict HTTP request processing capabilities where possible. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malformed HTTP requests containing suspicious path traversal sequences. Additionally, security configurations should enforce strict input validation on all HTTP request parameters and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and path resolution in network services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for malicious file execution through streaming protocols. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other network services and applications within the organization's infrastructure.