CVE-2003-1465 in Phorum
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in download.php in Phorum 3.4 through 3.4.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1465 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Phorum versions 3.4 through 3.4.2, specifically within the download.php script. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system by manipulating file path parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from being processed as file paths. The flaw allows malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and potentially access sensitive files such as configuration data, database credentials, or other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper input validation in the download.php script, where user-controllable parameters are directly used to construct file paths without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially read files that should be restricted, including system configuration files, user data, or application source code that could reveal additional attack vectors or sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially extract database connection strings, application configuration files, or even source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors. Additionally, the vulnerability affects a widely used forum software, increasing the potential attack surface and the number of systems that could be compromised.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the download.php script. The most effective approach involves validating all user-supplied input to ensure it conforms to expected patterns and does not contain path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\. Implementing a whitelist approach for file access, where only predetermined safe file paths are allowed, provides the most robust protection against this type of attack. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and maintaining current versions of web applications, as the affected Phorum versions are outdated and no longer receive security patches. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application and implementation of secure coding practices that prevent path traversal attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, aligning with security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and the MITRE ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques that involve path traversal attacks.