CVE-2004-1548 in Activepost Standard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the file server in ActivePost Standard 3.1 allows remote authenticated users to upload 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-2004-1548 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the file server component of ActivePost Standard 3.1 software. This vulnerability specifically affects the file upload functionality and enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of dot dot sequences in filenames. The flaw exists in the server's path validation mechanisms, which fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a filename containing .. (dot dot) sequences that are not properly filtered or validated by the server. These sequences allow attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure where files should be uploaded, potentially enabling them to write files to arbitrary locations on the server filesystem. This represents a classic directory traversal attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security advisories and threat intelligence reports. The 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.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations utilizing ActivePost Standard 3.1. An authenticated attacker could leverage this flaw to upload malicious files such as web shells, backdoors, or other harmful executables to sensitive server directories. The implications extend beyond simple file manipulation as attackers could potentially overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into web applications, or establish persistent access points within the target environment. This vulnerability essentially provides attackers with the ability to bypass normal file upload restrictions and gain unauthorized control over server file system operations.
The attack vector for this vulnerability requires that an attacker already possess valid authentication credentials to access the file server functionality. However, the low barrier to exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it does not require advanced technical skills or privileged access beyond legitimate user accounts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as the attack can be conducted using legitimate user credentials. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly when assessing risks associated with file upload capabilities in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1548 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file server component. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects or removes any path traversal sequences from user-supplied filenames before processing. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and ensure that file upload functionality operates with minimal necessary privileges. Additionally, the implementation of a whitelist approach for acceptable file types and names can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those defined by the Open Web Application Security Project. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file upload activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for similar directory traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.