CVE-2004-2526 in Tivoli Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ldacgi.exe in IBM Tivoli Directory Server 4.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to view arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the Template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2526 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in IBM Tivoli Directory Server version 4.1 and earlier, specifically within the ldacgi.exe component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation in the Template parameter handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's file access controls through crafted URL sequences containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, and user data stored on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted request to the ldacgi.exe service, embedding sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the Template parameter. The vulnerable application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input, allowing the traversal sequences to be interpreted by the underlying operating system. When processed, these sequences cause the application to navigate up the directory hierarchy and access files that should normally be restricted from external access. The impact extends beyond simple file reading, as attackers can potentially access system configuration files, database files, or other sensitive resources that may contain authentication credentials, system parameters, or proprietary information. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's input validation and access control mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Directory Server for directory services and authentication management. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The potential data exposure includes not only user credentials and authentication information but also system-level configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks or system compromise. Attackers could use this vulnerability as a reconnaissance tool to gather intelligence about the target environment, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) when considering how such information could be used in broader attack campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that address the directory traversal flaw in ldacgi.exe. The recommended approach involves configuring input validation rules to reject or sanitize any input containing directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious requests containing traversal sequences. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage if an attacker successfully exploits the vulnerability. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of directory access controls and review the permissions assigned to the ldacgi.exe component to ensure that it operates with minimal required privileges. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in directory traversal scenarios. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the organization's IT infrastructure, ensuring that directory services and web applications maintain proper security boundaries and access controls.