CVE-2003-0748 in Internet Transaction Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in wgate.dll for SAP Internet Transaction Server (ITS) 4620.2.0.323011 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ..\ (dot-dot backslash) sequences in the ~theme parameter and a ~template parameter with a filename followed by space characters, which can prevent SAP from effectively adding a .html extension to the filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0748 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SAP Internet Transaction Server ITS version 4620.2.0.323011 specifically affecting the wgate.dll component. This weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system by manipulating input parameters through carefully crafted directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability manifests when attackers exploit the ~theme parameter combined with the ~template parameter, creating a pathway to bypass normal file access controls and potentially obtain sensitive information from the server's file system. The flaw resides in how the SAP ITS processes these specific parameters, particularly when handling filename inputs that contain trailing space characters. This particular implementation allows attackers to circumvent the standard filename extension handling mechanisms that would normally append .html extensions to requested files. The vulnerability specifically leverages the ..\ (dot-dot backslash) sequence pattern to navigate upward in the directory structure, effectively allowing attackers to traverse beyond the intended document root and access files that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a combination of parameter manipulation and input validation bypass techniques that align with common directory traversal attack patterns. When the ~theme parameter contains directory traversal sequences followed by a ~template parameter with a filename and trailing spaces, the wgate.dll component fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing. This failure creates a condition where the system attempts to resolve the requested file path without adequate boundary checking, allowing attackers to specify absolute or relative paths that extend beyond the intended application scope. The inclusion of trailing space characters in the filename serves as a method to interfere with the automatic .html extension addition process, effectively bypassing the normal file resolution logic. This behavior demonstrates a classic input validation flaw where the application does not properly enforce path boundaries or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file system operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and represents a significant security weakness in SAP's web application framework that could enable unauthorized file access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even potentially gain insights into the underlying system architecture. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to read system files, application source code, database connection strings, or other sensitive information that might be stored in accessible locations within the server's file system. The ability to bypass the normal .html extension handling mechanism means that attackers could potentially access non-web-accessible files that might contain authentication credentials, system configurations, or other confidential data. This vulnerability particularly affects SAP ITS environments where web-based transaction processing is enabled, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of business-critical applications. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed SAP systems on their network perimeters. Organizations using SAP ITS 4620.2.0.323011 are at risk of unauthorized access to their web application components and underlying system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements to prevent the exploitation of directory traversal patterns. SAP released security patches and updates to address this specific vulnerability in subsequent versions of their ITS platform, making it crucial for organizations to apply these updates promptly. Network-level mitigations should include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests, particularly those involving ..\ sequences in parameter values. Input validation should be strengthened to reject or sanitize any input containing directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and file system permissions to limit the impact of any potential exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker could access files, they would not be able to read sensitive system data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and boundary checking in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through application vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other SAP components or web applications within the organization's infrastructure.