CVE-2004-2112 in BremsServer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in BremsServer 1.2.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." (dot dot) sequences in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2025
The directory traversal vulnerability identified in BremsServer version 1.2.4 represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through carefully crafted URL requests containing ".." sequences. This vulnerability falls under the category of path traversal attacks, where malicious users manipulate directory path references to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access restricted files. The flaw exists in the server's request processing logic, which fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters containing directory path references. When a user submits a URL containing dot-dot sequences such as "../../../etc/passwd", the server processes these sequences without adequate validation, allowing access to files outside the web root directory. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The issue stems from the server's inability to properly canonicalize or normalize file paths, enabling attackers to exploit the underlying file system structure to access sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially expose critical system files, configuration data, and user information to unauthorized parties. Attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve system configuration files, password hashes, database credentials, or any other sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a prime target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The server's response to directory traversal attempts may reveal file system structure information, potentially aiding attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566, which covers credential access through various means including path traversal attacks. The attack surface includes any file accessible through the web server, potentially ranging from simple text files to critical system binaries and configuration databases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the BremsServer application. The most effective approach involves normalizing all file paths before processing, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly rejected or resolved to prevent access beyond the intended directory boundaries. Implementing a whitelist-based approach for file access, where only explicitly allowed files or directories can be accessed, provides an additional layer of security. Server configuration changes should include disabling directory listing, implementing proper access controls, and ensuring that the web server operates with minimal required privileges. The fix should also incorporate proper error handling that does not reveal internal file system information to attackers. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the BremsServer to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the flaw exists in version 1.2.4 and likely affects other versions within the same release series. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other systems, as this type of flaw is common in web servers and applications that improperly handle file path inputs. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect and remediate similar issues across the entire infrastructure.