CVE-2004-2051 in Thintune Mobile
Summary
by MITRE
The Phoenix browser in eSeSIX Thintune thin clients running firmware 2.4.38 and earlier allows local users to read arbitrary files via a file:/// URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2051 represents a critical security flaw in the Phoenix browser component of eSeSIX Thintune thin client devices. This issue affects firmware versions 2.4.38 and earlier, where the browser implementation fails to properly validate file paths when processing file:// URLs. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and path traversal protection mechanisms within the browser's URI handling functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file:// URLs that reference local filesystem paths. When a local user crafts a malicious file:// URL, the Phoenix browser processes the request without sufficient validation, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that enables unauthorized file access through the browser interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to thin client environments where security is paramount. Thin clients typically serve as secure endpoints for enterprise networks, and the ability to read arbitrary files through a browser component undermines the fundamental security model of these devices. Local attackers could potentially extract system configuration files, user credentials, or other sensitive data that may reveal network topology, authentication mechanisms, or other confidential information. The impact extends beyond simple file access as it could enable further exploitation attempts or provide attackers with information needed for more sophisticated attacks against the broader network infrastructure.
The security implications of CVE-2004-2051 extend into the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. This vulnerability could serve as an initial foothold for attackers seeking to compromise the thin client environment and potentially move laterally within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where thin clients are deployed extensively, as a single compromised device could provide access to multiple systems or sensitive data repositories. Organizations utilizing this specific thin client firmware version should consider immediate remediation actions including firmware updates, network segmentation, and enhanced monitoring of file access patterns through the browser interface.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, implementing network-level restrictions on file:// URL access, and conducting thorough security assessments of thin client environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in browser implementations and the necessity of validating all user-supplied input, particularly in environments where multiple security layers are expected to protect sensitive data access. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, network access controls, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their thin client infrastructure.