CVE-2005-0379 in ZeroBoard
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in ZeroBoard 4.1pl5 and earlier allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the _zb_path parameter to (1) _head.php or (2) outlogin.php, or the dir parameter to (3) write.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0379 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting ZeroBoard 4.1pl5 and earlier versions. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the web application's file handling mechanisms, specifically in three key script files that process user-supplied parameters. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly sanitize the _zb_path parameter in _head.php and outlogin.php, as well as the dir parameter in write.php, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of dot-dot-slash sequences in the affected parameters, which enables attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. When a user supplies a path containing .. sequences in the _zb_path or dir parameters, the application processes these inputs without proper validation, leading to unauthorized file access. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal vulnerabilities as improper input validation that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory scope. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it a significant threat to web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to sensitive system information that could include configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data. Attackers could potentially read system files such as /etc/passwd, application configuration files, or even the web application's source code, which could reveal additional vulnerabilities or provide insights for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of ZeroBoard, a web-based bulletin board system, and could be leveraged to compromise the entire web server or underlying infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the disclosed information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected scripts. The application must validate all user-supplied parameters to ensure they do not contain directory traversal sequences, and should implement a whitelist approach for file access operations. Additionally, the web application should be configured with proper file permissions that prevent access to sensitive system files, and all user inputs should be properly escaped and validated before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The most effective mitigation strategy involves upgrading to a patched version of ZeroBoard or implementing proper parameter validation in the affected scripts to prevent the exploitation of directory traversal vulnerabilities, aligning with the security principle of least privilege and proper input validation as recommended by industry security standards.