CVE-2005-0202 in Mailman
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the true_path function in private.py for Mailman 2.1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".../....///" sequences, which are not properly cleansed by regular expressions that are intended to remove "../" and "./" sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0202 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Mailman mailing list management system version 2.1.5 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the true_path function located in the private.py file, which is responsible for processing file paths and ensuring proper access control within the application's file system operations. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious path sequences, creating a significant security risk for systems running vulnerable versions of Mailman.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate regular expression patterns used to cleanse path sequences in the true_path function. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file paths containing sequences such as ".../....///" which bypass the intended sanitization logic designed to remove "../" and "./" components. The vulnerability occurs because the regular expressions fail to account for complex path traversal patterns that can circumvent the basic cleansing mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's file system access behavior. This particular flaw falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides remote attackers with the ability to access arbitrary files on the server where Mailman is installed. This could potentially lead to sensitive information exposure including configuration files, user data, and system credentials that are stored within the application's file structure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible Mailman installations. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which describes how adversaries often attempt to enumerate system resources to identify valuable targets for further exploitation.
Organizations running vulnerable versions of Mailman should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to versions 2.1.6 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced path validation and sanitization mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing more robust regular expression patterns that properly handle multiple traversal sequences and ensuring that all path manipulation functions perform comprehensive input validation before processing file system operations. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level restrictions such as firewall rules that limit access to Mailman's administrative interfaces and ensure that the application runs with minimal required privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the need for comprehensive testing of security controls, particularly in applications that handle file system operations and user-provided data paths. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and ensure that path validation mechanisms are properly implemented and tested according to security best practices.