CVE-2005-1201 in AZ Bulletin board
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in AZ Bulletin board (AZbb) before 1.0.08 allow (1) remote authenticated users with administrative privileges to delete arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the URL to admin_avatar.php or admin_attachment.php or (2) remote attackers to enumerate files via a .. (dot dot) in the attachment parameter to attachment.php, which displays a different message when a file exists or does not exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2025
The CVE-2005-1201 vulnerability affects AZ Bulletin board software versions prior to 1.0.08, presenting critical directory traversal flaws that enable both authenticated administrative users and unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the system. This vulnerability resides in the improper handling of user-supplied input in URL parameters, specifically when processing directory navigation sequences using the dot-dot-slash notation. The affected components include admin_avatar.php, admin_attachment.php, and attachment.php files within the application's administrative and attachment handling modules.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's file handling routines. When the software processes URLs containing .. (dot dot) sequences in parameters such as attachment, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these directory traversal sequences before using them in file operations. This allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors: one requiring administrative privileges for file deletion and another allowing arbitrary file enumeration by unauthenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1201 is severe and multifaceted, encompassing both confidentiality and integrity threats to affected systems. Administrative users with valid credentials can leverage this vulnerability to delete arbitrary files from the server's filesystem, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data destruction. Unauthenticated attackers can enumerate files on the system, discovering sensitive information about the server's structure and potentially identifying other vulnerable components or sensitive files. This enumeration capability provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability effectively bypasses access controls and file permission mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment). The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate access control mechanisms that violate fundamental security principles. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 1.0.08 or later, implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block directory traversal attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems.