CVE-2005-0801 in includer.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in includer.cgi in The Includer allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via (1) a .. (dot dot) or (2) a full pathname in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0801 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within The Includer application's includer.cgi component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure through carefully crafted URL parameters. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input that is used to determine file paths for inclusion or access. The flaw exists in the way the application processes URL parameters containing directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the includer.cgi script. When a user submits a URL containing directory traversal sequences such as ".." or full pathnames, the application processes these inputs without proper sanitization or restriction. This allows attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected or restricted. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited from remote locations without requiring any local access or authentication credentials. The flaw essentially enables arbitrary file access, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should not be accessible through normal application interfaces.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for systems running The Includer application. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access not only application-specific files but potentially system configuration files, database files, or other sensitive resources that may contain authentication credentials, system information, or proprietary data. The vulnerability can be exploited to perform reconnaissance activities by examining system files, or to extract sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. Additionally, this flaw could enable attackers to potentially escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the underlying system infrastructure. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the includer.cgi script. The recommended approach involves implementing strict path validation that prevents directory traversal sequences from being processed as legitimate file paths. This can be achieved through the use of allowlists that restrict file access to predefined directories or through the implementation of proper path normalization functions that eliminate or escape potentially dangerous input sequences. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and ensure that the application runs with minimal required privileges to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving path traversal and privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for defensive security operations. The remediation approach should include comprehensive code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and implementation of robust input validation libraries that can prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles.