CVE-2005-1298 in inserter.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
The inserter.cgi script allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1298 represents a classic path traversal flaw that exists within the inserter.cgi script, a component commonly found in web-based content management systems and file upload utilities. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file system operations. The flaw specifically manifests when the script accepts a full pathname as an argument and subsequently uses this input to access files on the underlying operating system without sufficient authorization checks or path validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a remote attacker who can manipulate the argument parameter to include malicious file paths that bypass normal access controls. When the inserter.cgi script processes such input, it performs file operations using the provided full pathname, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should not be accessible through the web interface. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Path Traversal or Directory Traversal, which is classified as a critical security weakness that enables attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it can be exploited remotely without requiring any local system access or authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on affected web applications, as it can lead to complete system compromise through unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and potential information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read sensitive files such as database configuration files, application source code, user credential files, or system configuration data that may contain passwords, encryption keys, or other critical information. The vulnerability also aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) tactics, as it enables attackers to discover and extract valuable data from compromised systems. Additionally, this flaw can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, potentially allowing adversaries to escalate privileges or deploy additional malware within the affected environment.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1298 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the inserter.cgi script. Organizations should implement strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing absolute path references or directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\". The recommended approach involves using a whitelist-based validation method that only accepts predetermined, safe input patterns while rejecting all other potentially malicious inputs. Additionally, the application should enforce proper access controls and privilege separation, ensuring that the web server process runs with minimal required permissions and cannot access sensitive system files. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and consider implementing input filtering at the web application firewall level. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and input validation principles as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 security frameworks.