CVE-2004-2636 in TinyWeb
Summary
by MITRE
TinyWeb 1.9 allows remote attackers to read source code of scripts via "/./" in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2636 affects TinyWeb version 1.9, a lightweight web server implementation that was widely used in embedded systems and small-scale deployments during the early 2000s. This security flaw represents a directory traversal attack vector that exploits improper input validation within the web server's URL parsing mechanism. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the web server processes URLs containing the "/./" sequence, which should be normalized to prevent access to parent directories but instead allows attackers to bypass normal path restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web server's failure to properly sanitize or normalize URL paths before processing file requests. When a malicious user constructs a URL containing the "/./" pattern, the server fails to resolve this sequence correctly, potentially allowing access to files outside the intended document root directory. This flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic path traversal vulnerability that enables unauthorized file access. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any system running TinyWeb 1.9, particularly those deployed in environments where sensitive information might be stored within the web server's directory structure. Attackers could potentially access configuration files, source code repositories, user data, or other sensitive resources that should remain protected from public access. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism for information disclosure that could lead to complete system compromise if the web server has access to critical system files or databases. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through standard web browser requests, making it particularly dangerous for systems with limited security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing proper input validation and path normalization within the web server's URL processing logic. System administrators should immediately upgrade to a patched version of TinyWeb or apply the appropriate security patches provided by the software vendor. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit exposure by restricting access to the vulnerable web server from untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and ensuring that the web server runs with minimal privileges can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1005 for data from local system and T1083 for file and directory discovery, demonstrating how path traversal can be leveraged for reconnaissance and information gathering activities within compromised environments.