CVE-2005-0300 in JSBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in session.php in JSBoard 2.0.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the table parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0300 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within JSBoard 2.0.9 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the session.php component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data passed through the table parameter. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the application's file handling routines by crafting specially formatted requests containing .. (dot dot) sequences that manipulate file paths. Such manipulation allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the underlying file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not adequately validate or sanitize the table parameter before using it in file operations. When a user supplies a table parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these inputs without proper sanitization, leading to unauthorized file access. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the file system access controls implemented within the JSBoard framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, source code, and potentially system files that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by reading system files, extract database connection details, or even access administrative files that could lead to complete system compromise. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files can facilitate further exploitation attempts, including information disclosure attacks that may expose sensitive data or application logic that could be used for privilege escalation.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise to exploit effectively. Attackers simply need to craft HTTP requests with malicious table parameter values containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar path manipulation attempts. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based interfaces without requiring any special privileges or local system access. The vulnerability affects all versions of JSBoard up to and including 2.0.9, representing a significant security gap that was not adequately addressed in the application's input validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization controls. Organizations should immediately upgrade to JSBoard versions that have addressed this vulnerability through proper parameter validation and secure file handling practices. The recommended approach involves implementing whitelist validation for the table parameter, ensuring that only predefined and safe values are accepted. Additionally, the application should employ proper path resolution techniques that prevent directory traversal attempts by normalizing file paths and removing potentially malicious sequences. System administrators should also implement network-based controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing directory traversal attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering files and directories, and emphasizing the need for robust access control mechanisms in web applications.