CVE-2004-1601 in Web Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in CoolPHP 1.0-stable allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files and execute local PHP scripts via a .. (dot dot) in the op parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1601 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that existed within the CoolPHP content management system version 1.0-stable. This security weakness resides in the index.php file and specifically affects how the application processes user input through the op parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file access paths by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence, which is a fundamental technique used in directory traversal attacks to navigate outside of intended directories. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the CoolPHP framework, allowing malicious users to construct file paths that bypass normal access controls.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the core of file system access controls and represents a CWE-22 weakness, which is categorized as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')". The attack vector specifically targets the op parameter in index.php, where user-supplied input is directly used to construct file paths without proper validation. When an attacker supplies a crafted .. sequence in the op parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize this input, leading to the execution of arbitrary file access operations that can potentially expose sensitive system files, configuration data, or even allow for local file inclusion attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows not just file reading but also execution of local PHP scripts, expanding the attack surface significantly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to critical system resources. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive files such as database configuration files, user credentials, application source code, and system configuration data. The ability to execute local PHP scripts through this vulnerability creates additional attack vectors where malicious code can be injected and executed within the application context. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, making it a critical security concern for any organization running CoolPHP 1.0-stable.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental input validation issues that enabled the attack. The primary remediation involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path construction. Organizations should employ proper parameter validation techniques that reject or sanitize input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. The implementation should follow secure coding practices that enforce whitelisting of allowed parameters and validate all input against a known set of safe values. Additionally, the application should be configured with proper file system permissions that limit access to sensitive files and directories. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this flaw to discover system files or as part of a broader attack chain. System administrators should also implement proper network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the application.