CVE-2003-1022 in fsp
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in fsp before 2.81.b18 allows remote users to access files outside the FSP root directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1022 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the File Serving Protocol (FSP) software prior to version 2.81.b18. This security weakness enables remote attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve files from locations outside the designated FSP root directory. The flaw fundamentally undermines the security boundaries that should protect sensitive data within the file serving environment, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this software for file management and access control.
This directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path manipulation handling within the FSP application. When processing file requests, the software fails to properly sanitize user-supplied paths, allowing malicious actors to employ techniques such as double dots and forward slashes to navigate beyond the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw operates by exploiting the software's inability to properly resolve and validate file paths, enabling attackers to craft requests that traverse up the directory hierarchy and access files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information, configuration files, and user data. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access critical system files, application configuration data, and potentially even system credentials or database files that are stored outside the intended file serving scope. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no local system access or authentication, making it a severe threat to networked environments where FSP servers are exposed to untrusted networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566, which covers phishing with a malicious file, as attackers can use this flaw to gain access to sensitive files that could then be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
Organizations using vulnerable FSP versions should immediately implement mitigations including updating to FSP version 2.81.b18 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to FSP servers, and proper access controls should be enforced to restrict which users can access the file serving functionality. Input validation measures should be strengthened at the application level to ensure all file paths are properly sanitized before processing, and directory browsing should be disabled where possible. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, as highlighted in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasizes the need for secure coding practices and regular security updates to prevent such fundamental access control bypasses.