CVE-2003-1542 in phpWebFileManager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in plugins/file.php in phpWebFileManager before 0.4.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the fm_path parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1542 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpWebFileManager application version 0.4.3 and earlier. This weakness resides in the plugins/file.php component where the application fails to properly validate user-supplied input parameters, specifically the fm_path parameter that controls file navigation and access within the web-based file management system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and path validation mechanisms that permit attackers to manipulate file access paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. or ../ which are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the fm_path parameter to include directory traversal sequences, allowing them to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the underlying file system. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to access sensitive files that should normally be restricted, including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the web server. The impact is particularly severe because phpWebFileManager is designed as a web-based file management tool, making it accessible over the network and susceptible to remote exploitation without requiring authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using affected versions of phpWebFileManager as it allows unauthorized access to potentially sensitive data stored on the web server. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain administrative credentials, application source code, database files, and other confidential information that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes the discovery of files and directories, and T1566, which covers the delivery of malicious payloads through web application vulnerabilities. The lack of proper input validation means that any user with access to the web interface can potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is publicly accessible or where multiple users have access to the system.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2003-1542 involves immediate upgrade to phpWebFileManager version 0.4.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal sequences, proper access controls to limit who can access the file management functionality, and regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in version 0.4.4 likely includes proper sanitization of the fm_path parameter, validation of file paths against a whitelist of acceptable directories, and implementation of secure file access mechanisms that prevent traversal beyond intended directories. System administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.