CVE-2004-0059 in WWW File Share Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in upload capability of WWW File Share Pro 2.42 and earlier allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via .. (dot dot) sequences in the filename parameter of a Content-Disposition: header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0059 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the file upload functionality of WWW File Share Pro version 2.42 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize filename parameters submitted through HTTP requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes Content-Disposition headers containing .. (dot dot) sequences in filename parameters, enabling malicious actors to manipulate the file system path and potentially overwrite critical system files or executables. This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which classifies improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in how the WWW File Share Pro application handles file upload requests. When a user submits a file through the upload interface, the application processes the Content-Disposition header which contains the filename parameter. Without proper validation or sanitization, the system accepts the .. sequences that are typically used to navigate up directory levels in file systems. This allows attackers to construct malicious file paths that can traverse beyond the intended upload directory and access or modify files in parent directories. The vulnerability essentially bypasses the intended file upload restrictions, enabling attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the server's file system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system integrity and security posture. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The ability to overwrite arbitrary files means that attackers could replace legitimate executables with malicious versions, modify configuration files, or inject harmful code into the system. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, making it a high-severity issue that requires immediate attention. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the vulnerable web application.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0059 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations must ensure that all filename parameters are properly validated to reject or sanitize any sequences containing .. characters or similar path traversal indicators. The recommended approach involves implementing strict whitelisting of allowed characters in filenames and enforcing proper directory restrictions that prevent file operations from traversing beyond designated upload directories. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation typically requires leveraging system access to execute malicious file operations. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual file operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of WWW File Share Pro or migrating to a more secure file sharing solution that properly implements input validation and access control mechanisms.