CVE-2003-0756 in Sitebuilder
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in sitebuilder.cgi in SiteBuilder 1.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in the selectedpage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0756 represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the SiteBuilder 1.4 web application's sitebuilder.cgi component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file system requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the selectedpage parameter which is used to determine which page content to display within the site builder interface. When an attacker submits a malicious payload containing .. (dot dot) sequences in this parameter, the application processes these sequences without adequate validation, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file system paths and access sensitive information that should remain protected within the application's designated boundaries. The security implications extend beyond simple file reading, as attackers can potentially access configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other sensitive data that may be stored on the same server. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a fundamental lack of input sanitization and access control mechanisms within the SiteBuilder 1.4 framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to construct malicious URLs that traverse directories and access files such as password files, configuration settings, or even executable code that may reveal additional attack vectors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This type of vulnerability is commonly categorized under the attack technique T1083 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing and file access enumeration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0756 must focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the sitebuilder.cgi script. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predetermined, safe values for the selectedpage parameter. Additionally, developers should employ proper path normalization techniques that resolve all .. (dot dot) sequences and ensure that file access operations remain within designated directories. The implementation of secure coding practices such as the principle of least privilege and input validation should be enforced throughout the application. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious patterns of directory traversal attempts. The patch for this vulnerability would involve updating SiteBuilder 1.4 to version 1.5 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and access control measures that prevent unauthorized file system access through manipulated parameters.