CVE-2004-2170 in Caravan Business Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in sample_showcode.html in Caravan 2.00/03d and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the fname parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2170 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Caravan content management system version 2.00/03d and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the sample_showcode.html component which fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the fname parameter that controls file display functionality. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the application's file access mechanisms and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive information including configuration files, source code, and other confidential data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's file handling routines. When the fname parameter is processed, the application does not adequately filter or sanitize user-supplied data, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which classifies improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper input validation that should ensure file paths remain within designated safe directories, effectively bypassing the application's access controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing affected Caravan versions, as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive system information including database connection details, administrative credentials stored in configuration files, and source code that may contain hard-coded secrets or implementation flaws. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the retrieved files might contain business logic, user data, or system configurations that could facilitate further attacks or compromise the entire application infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that serve dynamic content and handle user-provided file paths, making it a prime target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving credential access and reconnaissance. The ability to read arbitrary files through directory traversal represents a reconnaissance phase that can reveal system architecture and potential attack vectors. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper file access controls. The recommended remediation involves updating to Caravan version 2.00/03e or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, restricting file access permissions, and employing proper access controls can provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Security practitioners should also conduct thorough code reviews focusing on file handling routines and ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated before being processed by the application's file access functions.