CVE-2004-2750 in JBrowser
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in browser.php in JBrowser 1.0 through 2.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the directory parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2750 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the JBrowser 1.0 through 2.1 web application framework. This vulnerability resides in the browser.php component where the directory parameter fails to properly validate user input, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation mechanisms that allow attackers to manipulate file path references through crafted directory parameters. This weakness enables unauthorized information disclosure and potentially system compromise when exploited by remote attackers who can traverse directory structures beyond the intended application boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as path traversal flaws in web applications. The flaw operates by accepting user-supplied directory parameters without adequate filtering or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. When the application processes these malformed inputs, it fails to properly restrict file access to the intended directories, thereby permitting access to sensitive files including configuration data, database credentials, source code files, and other system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects the entire JBrowser 1.0 through 2.1 release range, indicating a widespread impact across multiple versions of this web application framework.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying JBrowser applications, as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to sensitive information that may include database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, and proprietary source code. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further exploitation through the access to system files that could reveal additional vulnerabilities or provide insights for more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2750 should prioritize immediate patching of affected JBrowser installations to the latest available versions that address this directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts, including the use of allowlists for permitted directory access and strict validation of all user-supplied parameters. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable applications, while application firewalls and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious directory traversal attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for defensive measures against path traversal attacks.