CVE-2004-2617 in Pegasi Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Pegasi Web Server (PWS) 0.2.2 allows remote attackers to read files outside of the web root via a .. (dot dot) directly after the initial / (slash) in the URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2617 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Pegasi Web Server version 0.2.2, which falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22. This weakness specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in how the web server processes URI requests, particularly when handling directory navigation sequences that begin with a double dot followed by a forward slash immediately after the initial slash in the URI structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious URI that begins with a .. sequence directly after the initial forward slash in the request path. This specific pattern allows the web server to interpret the request as attempting to traverse directories beyond the intended web root directory. The flaw exists because the server fails to properly validate or sanitize input paths before processing them, enabling attackers to manipulate the file system access through carefully constructed URI sequences. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it a significant threat to web server security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. An attacker could potentially access sensitive configuration files, database files, application source code, or even system-level files that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive files containing credentials, encryption keys, or system configurations are accessible. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks when combined with other weaknesses, as attackers can gather information about the server environment and potentially identify additional attack vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques involving credential access and discovery of system information. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1552 (Unsecured Credentials) as attackers can use this flaw to access sensitive files containing authentication information. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Pegasi Web Server, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and configuring web server access controls to prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments should be employed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even legacy web server software can contain dangerous security flaws that require immediate attention and remediation.