CVE-2003-1427 in FM114P
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web configuration interface in Netgear FM114P 1.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, such as the netgear.cfg coniguration file, via a hex-encoded (%2e%2e%2f) ../ (dot dot slash) in the port parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1427 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the Netgear FM114P 1.4 wireless access point device. This weakness exists within the web-based configuration interface that manages the device's operational parameters and network settings. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file system requests. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests containing hex-encoded directory traversal sequences such as %2e%2e%2f which translates to the traditional ../ notation used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. The specific parameter affected is the port parameter within the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive system files and configuration data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern that maps directly to CWE-22 - "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')". This weakness allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the device's file system. When an attacker sends a request with the malicious hex-encoded sequence in the port parameter, the web server fails to validate the input properly and instead processes the request as if it were a legitimate file path traversal attempt. The consequence is that attackers can access sensitive configuration files including the netgear.cfg file which contains critical system information, passwords, and network configuration parameters that should remain confidential. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the underlying operating system's file system navigation capabilities without proper authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the device's administrative interface and sensitive configuration data. The netgear.cfg file contains crucial information including wireless network settings, user credentials, and device configuration parameters that could enable further attacks against the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions, potentially allowing them to modify network settings, disable security features, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where wireless access points are deployed throughout network infrastructure. This weakness can be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting network infrastructure components and represents a significant threat to network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application layer. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that prevents any directory traversal sequences from being processed, regardless of their encoding format. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated and that the application enforces strict access controls to prevent unauthorized file system access. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to administrative interfaces, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices. Additionally, the device firmware should be updated to a version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as Netgear likely released patches to resolve this issue. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in network device management interfaces, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1212 - "Exploitation for Credential Access" and emphasizing the need for robust input validation controls.