CVE-2004-1572 in AJ-Fork
Summary
by MITRE
AJ-Fork 167 does not restrict access to directories such as (1) data, (2) inc, (3) plugins, (4) skins, or (5) tools, which allows remote attackers to list files in those directories via a direct HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1572 affects AJ-Fork 167, a web application framework that fails to implement proper access controls for critical system directories. This flaw represents a classic directory traversal and information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive application components to unauthorized remote access. The affected directories include data, inc, plugins, skins, and tools, which typically contain application configuration files, source code components, and other sensitive operational data that should remain protected from public access.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application's directory handling logic. When remote attackers submit direct HTTP requests to specific paths corresponding to these unprotected directories, the application fails to enforce proper authentication or authorization checks. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal application security controls and directly access files that should only be accessible through legitimate application workflows. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and proper resource access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with comprehensive directory listing capabilities for critical application components. Attackers can potentially discover sensitive information including database connection strings, application configuration files, source code fragments, and other system artifacts that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. The exposure of these directories may lead to further vulnerabilities such as remote code execution through plugin or component manipulation, or information disclosure that could compromise the entire application infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-200 (Information Disclosure) categories, demonstrating multiple security weaknesses in the application's architecture.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise require legitimate administrative access or more sophisticated attack vectors. The ability to enumerate directory contents provides threat actors with valuable intelligence about the application's structure and potential attack surfaces. This information disclosure vulnerability can be leveraged as a precursor to more serious exploits, including privilege escalation, data theft, or complete system compromise. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and web application firewalls to mitigate the risk of such direct access attempts, while also ensuring proper access controls are implemented for all application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration management and adherence to security best practices as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including the MITRE ATT&CK framework where such information disclosure techniques fall under the reconnaissance phase of attack cycles.