CVE-2004-2213 in AppWeb HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Mbedthis AppWeb HTTP server before 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to obtain the source code for scripts via a (1) trailing dot (".") or (2) trailing space in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2213 affects Mbedthis AppWeb HTTP server versions prior to 1.1.3 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive script source code through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path resolution mechanisms within the web server's handling of file requests, particularly when processing filenames that contain trailing characters. The flaw specifically manifests when an attacker appends either a trailing dot or trailing space to their HTTP request, which the vulnerable server fails to properly sanitize or normalize before attempting to serve the requested content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the server's file path resolution logic, where it does not adequately filter or canonicalize file paths before attempting to access filesystem resources. When a request containing a trailing dot or trailing space is processed, the server's internal path handling routines fail to properly resolve the intended file location, instead exposing the underlying filesystem structure and potentially allowing access to script source code files that should remain protected. This behavior creates a directory traversal condition that aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to web applications hosted on affected servers, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive source code containing database credentials, application logic, business rules, and other confidential information. The exposure of script source code represents a severe compromise of application security since it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of application internals, including potential weak points in authentication mechanisms, data validation routines, and business logic implementations. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring authentication credentials and can be executed through simple HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that process sensitive data or contain proprietary code.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities. Attackers can use this flaw as part of a broader reconnaissance phase to gather intelligence about target applications, which can then be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as access to source code can reveal implementation details that may lead to additional attack vectors. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where legacy web servers remain in production and where proper patch management processes have not been implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2213 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Mbedthis AppWeb installations to version 1.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper path normalization and input validation. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls including firewalls and web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns containing trailing dots or spaces. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, server configuration hardening, and regular security audits of web server configurations. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles for web server processes can also limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal issues in other web applications and services within the organization's infrastructure.