CVE-2003-1298 in AnyPortal PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in siteman.php3 in AnyPortal(php) 12 MAY 00 allow remote attackers to (1) create, (2) delete, (3) save, and (4) upload files by navigating to the root directory and entering a filename beginning with "./.." (dot slash dot dot).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-1298 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in AnyPortal php version 12 MAY 00 specifically within the siteman.php3 component. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filenames and directory references. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file system operations by exploiting the lack of proper path normalization and validation checks. When users navigate to the root directory and submit filenames beginning with "./.." sequences, the application fails to properly restrict access to directories outside the intended scope, creating a path traversal condition that can be exploited for unauthorized file system operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform four distinct malicious operations including creating new files, deleting existing files, saving content to arbitrary locations, and uploading files to the target system. This comprehensive attack surface arises from the application's failure to implement proper access control mechanisms and path validation routines. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to traverse beyond the intended application directory boundaries and potentially access sensitive system files or execute arbitrary code. The root cause lies in the application's inability to properly handle relative path references and normalize file paths before processing user input, which directly violates secure coding principles and industry best practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the underlying file system and enables them to manipulate the application environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, modify existing application components, delete critical files, or create backdoor access points within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running AnyPortal php versions that are vulnerable to this attack may face data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential disruption of services. The long-term implications include persistent threats that can be exploited to establish footholds within network environments and facilitate further attacks.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 - Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness in path handling and access control implementations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage directory traversal to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The attack pattern follows the typical progression of reconnaissance, exploitation, and privilege escalation through file system manipulation. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation, enforcing strict path normalization, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that all user-supplied paths are validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, regular security audits, and proper application hardening procedures to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in production environments.