CVE-2003-1280 in cgihtml
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cgihtml 1.69 allows remote attackers to overwrite and create arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in multipart/form-data uploads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1280 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the cgihtml 1.69 web application framework that fundamentally compromises file system security. This weakness arises from insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing multipart/form-data upload requests, specifically failing to properly sanitize directory path references that contain relative path traversal sequences. The vulnerability enables malicious actors to manipulate file upload operations by incorporating .. (dot dot) sequences into file paths, thereby gaining unauthorized access to arbitrary file system locations beyond the intended upload directories.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of multipart/form-data HTTP requests where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences into file name parameters during upload operations. When the cgihtml application processes these requests without adequate sanitization, it fails to properly resolve the intended destination path, allowing attackers to specify absolute or relative paths that traverse up the directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the file system level, enabling both arbitrary file creation and overwriting capabilities.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to web server security and data integrity. Attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into existing applications, or create backdoor files that persist across system reboots. The implications extend beyond simple file manipulation as attackers can potentially escalate privileges by targeting configuration files, system binaries, or other sensitive resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where web applications have elevated file system permissions, as it provides attackers with direct access to system resources that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability is categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing commands through various attack vectors including web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1280 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the cgihtml framework. Organizations should implement strict path validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences, particularly .. (dot dot) characters, before processing file upload operations. The solution involves implementing a robust whitelist approach that only accepts predetermined safe file paths and rejects any input that attempts to traverse directories. Additionally, system administrators should ensure that web applications operate with minimal required privileges and that upload directories have proper access controls that prevent overwriting of system-critical files. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of cgihtml or migrating to more secure modern web application frameworks that properly handle file system operations and input validation.