CVE-2004-2132 in PJ CGI Neo Review
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in PJreview_Neo.cgi in PJ CGI Neo review allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the p parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2132 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the PJ CGI Neo review system's PJreview_Neo.cgi component. This security weakness enables malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the target system by manipulating the p parameter through directory traversal sequences. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing file paths, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries using standard dot-dot-slash sequences.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the core of input validation and access control mechanisms within web applications. The p parameter in PJreview_Neo.cgi appears to accept file path specifications without adequate sanitization, creating an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious requests that can traverse directory structures and access sensitive files. The vulnerability stems from the application's inability to properly restrict file access based on user input, allowing for unauthorized data retrieval from the server's file system. Such flaws typically arise from insufficient input filtering and improper path validation routines that fail to detect or neutralize malicious traversal sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise if sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or application source code are accessible through the traversal mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access system files, application logs, configuration files, and potentially even execute code if the application has insufficient access controls. The vulnerability affects web applications that use CGI scripts for file operations and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure file handling practices. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication and can provide attackers with extensive information about the target system's structure and potentially sensitive data.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The most effective approach involves filtering or rejecting any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e. Implementing proper path validation that ensures all file access operations remain within designated directories and using secure coding practices that prevent path manipulation are essential defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block such traversal attempts, along with regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a fundamental security flaw that can be addressed through proper input validation and access control implementations. The attack pattern follows typical MITRE ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and information gathering through path traversal methods.