CVE-2005-1303 in citat.pl
Summary
by MITRE
The citat.pl script allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
The citat.pl script vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system through manipulation of input parameters. This vulnerability exists within a perl script designed for citation processing or document handling, where proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms are absent or insufficient. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious requests containing full pathnames that bypass normal access controls, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure and system compromise.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory," which describes how applications fail to properly validate file paths, allowing attackers to traverse directories and access files outside of intended boundaries. The technical implementation of this flaw suggests that the citat.pl script accepts user-supplied input without adequate filtering or normalization, enabling path traversal attacks that can access system files, configuration data, or sensitive information stored in directories outside the script's intended scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read system configuration files, password hashes, database credentials, or application source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) techniques that attackers can use to gather intelligence and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. The script must validate all user-supplied input to ensure that pathnames do not contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, and that all file access operations occur within predetermined safe directories. Implementing a whitelist approach for acceptable file paths or using secure file access libraries that prevent path traversal attacks can effectively eliminate this vulnerability. Additionally, restricting file access permissions and implementing proper access controls can limit the damage even if the vulnerability is not fully patched. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar flaws from being introduced in future code deployments.