CVE-2005-0845 in Directory
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Webmail interface in SurgeMail 2.2g3 allows remote authenticated users to write arbitrary files or directories via a .. (dot dot) in the attach_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-0845 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Webmail interface of SurgeMail version 2.2g3. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes the attach_id parameter, which is used to manage file attachments within the webmail interface. When an authenticated user submits a malicious attach_id value containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or ..\, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input, allowing attackers to manipulate the file system operations.
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. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope of the application's file system access. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of relative path references, where the .. sequence allows navigation up one directory level in the file system hierarchy. When combined with proper authentication credentials, this flaw becomes particularly dangerous as it transforms a simple web interface into a potential vector for arbitrary file system manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full arbitrary file system access capabilities. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to create new files, overwrite existing files, or even delete critical system files. The implications are severe as this vulnerability could potentially allow attackers to upload malicious files, modify configuration settings, or establish persistent access points within the system. The attack surface becomes particularly concerning when considering that the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid credentials could exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a prime example of how insufficient input validation can create severe operational risks in web applications. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms, particularly for parameters that influence file system operations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and restricting file system access permissions for web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in application code. Additionally, this vulnerability serves as a reminder of the necessity for proper access controls and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks across all system components.
The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows established methodologies described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of path traversal. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how web application flaws can be exploited to achieve privilege escalation and arbitrary file system manipulation. The remediation strategy should include implementing strict input validation, using secure file handling practices, and ensuring that all file system operations are performed within designated safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.