CVE-2004-0072 in Direct Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Accipiter Direct Server 6.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via encoded \.. (backslash .., "%5c%2e%2e") sequences in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0072 affects Accipiter Direct Server version 6.0, presenting a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing mechanism, specifically failing to properly sanitize backslash and dot sequences that are commonly used to navigate directory structures. The flaw manifests when the server receives HTTP requests containing encoded directory traversal sequences such as "%5c%2e%2e" which decode to backslash-dot-dot sequences, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's path resolution algorithm which does not adequately filter or normalize input containing encoded traversal sequences. When the server processes these requests, it fails to properly validate that the requested file paths remain within the designated boundaries, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization where encoded sequences are not properly decoded and validated before path resolution occurs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running the affected Accipiter Direct Server software, as remote attackers can potentially access sensitive files including configuration data, user credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers could potentially gain access to system files that might contain database connection strings, administrative credentials, or other sensitive data that could lead to further system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from anywhere on the internet. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this weakness to discover sensitive files and potentially escalate privileges through credential access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0072 should include immediate application of vendor patches or updates to the Accipiter Direct Server software to address the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that normalize all file path requests, ensuring that encoded sequences are properly decoded and validated against allowed directories. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth by filtering out suspicious requests containing directory traversal patterns. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications and services, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy systems. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that file system permissions are properly configured to limit access to sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust security practices in web application development, particularly in systems that handle user-supplied data for file operations.