CVE-2004-1795 in Surfnet
Summary
by MITRE
Info Touch Surfnet kiosk allows local users to access the underlying filesystem via a file:// URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1795 represents a critical security flaw in the Info Touch Surfnet kiosk system that enables local attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying filesystem through improper handling of file:// URI schemes. This issue demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability where the system fails to properly validate and sanitize URI inputs, allowing malicious users to bypass normal access controls and directly interact with system files. The vulnerability exists within the kiosk's web browsing functionality, which processes file:// URIs without adequate security checks, creating an attack surface that could be exploited by anyone with local access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Surfnet kiosk software. When the system processes a file:// URI, it does not properly restrict the paths that can be accessed, allowing an attacker to construct malicious URIs that traverse the filesystem hierarchy. This flaw falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how inadequate URI parsing can lead to unauthorized system access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local privilege level, meaning that any user with access to the kiosk system can exploit this weakness without requiring remote network access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it provides attackers with the ability to read sensitive system files, potentially including configuration data, user credentials, or system logs. Attackers could leverage this access to gather intelligence about the system's internal structure, identify other potential vulnerabilities, or extract confidential information stored in accessible files. In kiosk environments where sensitive data might be processed or stored, this vulnerability could lead to data breaches or unauthorized system modifications. The impact is further amplified because kiosk systems are often deployed in public or semi-public locations where local physical access is common, making exploitation more likely and potentially more dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the Surfnet kiosk software. System administrators should ensure that file:// URI processing is restricted to predefined safe directories and that all URI inputs undergo strict validation before being processed. The implementation should follow security best practices such as maintaining a whitelist of allowed paths and implementing proper sandboxing techniques to isolate the kiosk's file access capabilities. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other system components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local access to kiosk systems where possible, reducing the attack surface for such local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which addresses command and scripting interpreters, and emphasizes the importance of proper input validation and access control in preventing unauthorized system access.