CVE-2005-0437 in awstats
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in awstats.pl in AWStats 6.3 and 6.4 allows remote attackers to include arbitrary Perl modules via .. (dot dot) sequences in the loadplugin parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0437 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the AWStats web statistics tool version 6.3 and 6.4. AWStats is widely deployed for analyzing web server log files and generating comprehensive traffic reports, making it a common target for attackers seeking to compromise web infrastructure. This particular vulnerability resides in the awstats.pl script which processes user input through the loadplugin parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization, allowing attackers to exploit the system's file handling capabilities through carefully crafted directory traversal sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the loadplugin parameter by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse the file system hierarchy. This manipulation enables the attacker to specify arbitrary Perl module paths that would normally be restricted, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or even enabling code execution within the context of the web server process. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are outside the intended scope of the application, effectively bypassing access controls and potentially exposing critical system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain access to system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on AWStats for web analytics, particularly those with less stringent security controls or those running older versions of the software. The attack surface is significant since AWStats is frequently deployed on public-facing web servers where it processes user input from various sources. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages for execution, as attackers could potentially execute malicious code through the loaded Perl modules.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected AWStats installations to versions that properly sanitize input parameters and implement proper path validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to AWStats installations and deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts. Input validation should be strengthened to reject any sequences containing .. characters in the loadplugin parameter, while the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications and scripts within the organization's infrastructure, as directory traversal vulnerabilities often indicate broader security gaps in web application design and implementation practices.