CVE-2005-1241 in Powerlock Networksecurity
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the third party tool from Powertech, as used to secure the iSeries AS/400 FTP server, allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files, including those from qsys.lib, via ".." sequences in a GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1241 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within a third-party security tool developed by Powertech for protecting IBM iSeries AS/400 FTP servers. This vulnerability specifically affects the implementation of file access controls within the Powertech FTP security solution, creating an exploitable weakness that allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive system resources. The flaw manifests when the security tool fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters in FTP GET requests, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences.
The technical execution of this vulnerability relies on the exploitation of insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Powertech tool's FTP security implementation. Attackers can craft malicious GET requests containing ".." sequences that bypass normal file access restrictions, allowing them to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries and access files within the qsys.lib directory structure. This directory contains critical system-level objects and libraries that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the FTP protocol implementation within the iSeries environment, and demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the ability to extract sensitive system information, potentially including system configuration files, user credentials, and other confidential data stored within the qsys.lib namespace. This access could enable attackers to escalate their privileges, conduct further reconnaissance, or even compromise the entire iSeries system. The vulnerability affects organizations running IBM iSeries AS/400 systems that have implemented Powertech's FTP security solution, creating a significant risk for businesses that rely on these systems for critical operations and data processing.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Powertech tool that addresses the directory traversal flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit access to FTP services, and conducting comprehensive audits of file system permissions and access controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent manipulation of file system paths through user input. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within the network and establish persistence. The security community should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader class of file system access control bypasses that require careful input validation and proper access control implementation to prevent unauthorized system resource access.