CVE-2004-2493 in Groupmax World Wide Web Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Groupmax World Wide Web (GmaxWWW) 2 and 3, and Desktop 5, 6, and Desktop for Jichitai allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary .html files via the template name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2493 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Groupmax World Wide Web versions 2 and 3, as well as Desktop versions 5 and 6, and the Jichitai Desktop variant. This security weakness resides within the web application's handling of template name parameters, creating an exploitable condition that permits authenticated remote attackers to access arbitrary html files on the server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path traversal operations, allowing malicious users to manipulate the template parameter to navigate outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability 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. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the template name parameter, enabling them to access files outside the web application's designated directories. This weakness operates at the application layer, specifically within the file handling mechanisms of the Groupmax web server software, where user-supplied input directly influences file system operations without adequate sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as authenticated attackers can potentially access sensitive html content that may contain configuration details, user data, or application logic that could aid in further exploitation. The affected versions of Groupmax World Wide Web and Desktop applications typically serve as content management or web publishing platforms, making the exposure of arbitrary html files particularly concerning for organizations relying on these systems for web presence management. The vulnerability affects not only the core web server functionality but also compromises the integrity of the application's file access controls, potentially enabling attackers to discover additional system files or sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's restricted directory structure.
Organizations utilizing affected Groupmax software versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those influencing file system operations. The implementation of proper path normalization and restriction mechanisms, combined with the enforcement of strict access controls and the removal of unnecessary file access permissions, forms the primary defense against this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security audits and patch management processes should be established to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in future software versions. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing robust access controls in web applications, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's path traversal techniques and the broader security principles defined by industry standards.