CVE-2004-1399 in Attachment Mod
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Attachment module 2.3.10 and earlier for phpBB allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1399 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Attachment module of phpBB version 2.3.10 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the manner the application processes file names when handling attachments, creating an avenue for malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the web server. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate file path inputs, allowing attackers to manipulate file access through directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms within the phpBB Attachment module. Attackers can craft malicious requests containing .. (dot dot) sequences in the filename parameter to navigate upward through the directory structure and access files outside the intended attachment directory. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the server's file system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness can potentially access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive materials that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or other critical system information. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, as attackers can systematically explore the file system to discover valuable information.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate input sanitization in web applications, where user-provided data is not properly validated before being processed. The attack vector specifically targets the attachment handling functionality, which is a common feature in web forums and content management systems. The affected versions of phpBB represent a significant security risk since they were widely deployed across the internet, potentially exposing thousands of installations to this vulnerability. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face the risk of complete system compromise if attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive files or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including upgrading to phpBB version 2.3.11 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal issue. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided file names and paths, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly rejected or neutralized. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by filtering out suspicious path traversal patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and keeping software components up to date, as this issue could have been prevented through timely patch management and proper security testing procedures.