CVE-2004-0664 in PowerPortal
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in modules.php in PowerPortal 1.x allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a .. (dot dot) in the files parameter.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0664 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within PowerPortal 1.x web applications, specifically affecting the modules.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary directory listings on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, particularly the files parameter, which accepts directory traversal sequences without adequate filtering or validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into the files parameter to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. When the web application processes this input without proper validation, it allows the attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files or directories that should remain restricted. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized file system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute malicious code if the application lacks proper security restrictions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to enumerate directory structures, access restricted files, or potentially gain deeper system access depending on the application's configuration and file permissions. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability without requiring local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly aligns with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, and can contribute to broader attack chains involving privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or properly encode directory traversal sequences before processing user input. Organizations should enforce proper access controls and implement the principle of least privilege to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The recommended approach includes implementing proper parameter validation, using secure coding practices that avoid direct file path construction from user input, and employing directory traversal prevention libraries or frameworks. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious directory traversal attempts and prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and proper access control implementation in web application security.