CVE-2005-0507 in SD Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in SD Server 4.0.70 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via .. sequences in an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0507 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting SD Server versions 4.0.70 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the server's handling of HTTP requests and specifically targets how the application processes directory navigation sequences. The flaw enables malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system through carefully crafted HTTP requests containing .. sequences. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive system information, configuration files, and potentially confidential data stored on the affected server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the SD Server's request processing pipeline. When an HTTP request containing directory traversal sequences is received, the server fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing file system operations. This allows the .. sequences to be interpreted as directory navigation commands rather than literal characters, effectively enabling attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy beyond the intended boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard HTTP protocols, making it accessible to attackers with minimal specialized tools or knowledge.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on SD Server for their operations. Attackers could potentially access sensitive files including configuration data, user credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit this vulnerability. This makes the attack surface much broader and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations may face compliance violations, data breaches, and potential system compromise if this vulnerability remains unpatched, particularly in environments where the server hosts critical business data or sensitive user information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0507 should prioritize immediate patching of affected SD Server installations to version 4.0.71 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the network level to filter out suspicious directory traversal sequences in HTTP requests. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file system access permissions for the SD Server application, limiting its ability to access sensitive directories even if traversal attacks succeed. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor and block requests containing .. sequences. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of file and directory permissions. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify all instances of SD Server installations and ensure comprehensive remediation across their infrastructure.