CVE-2004-1980 in PROPS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in glossary.php in PROPS 0.6.1 allows remote attackers to view arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in (1) module or (2) format variables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1980 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the PROPS 0.6.1 content management system. This weakness specifically affects the glossary.php script which processes user input through module and format parameters without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file paths by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences into these variables, allowing them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The technical implementation involves the application directly incorporating user-supplied input into file system operations without proper input validation or canonicalization. When an attacker submits malicious input containing .. sequences in either the module or format variables, the application processes these paths without restricting access to directories above the intended web root, potentially exposing sensitive files such as configuration data, database credentials, or system files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access critical system components including but not limited to database connection files, administrative configuration settings, and potentially sensitive user data stored within the application's directory structure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Credential Access and T1083 for File and Directory Discovery, as it enables unauthorized access to system files and directory structures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters before they are processed in file system operations. The application should implement strict path validation that prevents any .. sequences from being processed in file path operations, while also ensuring that all file access occurs within predefined safe directories. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage that could occur even if such traversal attacks are successful. The fix should also involve updating the application to a version that properly addresses this vulnerability, as the PROPS 0.6.1 version is outdated and likely contains other security weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically block directory traversal attempts to provide additional defense in depth measures.