CVE-2005-1350 in ad.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
The ad.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 • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1350 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the ad.cgi script commonly found in web applications. This issue enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating input parameters with full pathnames, effectively bypassing normal access controls and file system restrictions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the script's parameter handling mechanisms, allowing malicious users to craft requests that traverse the file system hierarchy and retrieve sensitive information from locations outside the intended web root directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by including directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the argument parameters passed to the ad.cgi script. When the script processes these inputs without proper validation, it interprets the malicious pathnames and attempts to read files from locations specified by the attacker, potentially accessing system configuration files, user credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1350 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can facilitate further exploitation attempts and compromise the overall security posture of affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into system architecture, identify potential targets for additional attacks, and potentially escalate privileges through access to system files or application configuration data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal skill to exploit and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it attractive to both skilled and unskilled attackers. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or when sensitive files are accessible through the traversed paths.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of protection including immediate patching of affected software versions, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. Organizations should also establish robust file access controls and ensure that web applications operate with minimal necessary privileges to prevent unauthorized file access even if traversal attacks succeed. The remediation approach should follow security best practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering system information and T1566 for social engineering attacks that often exploit such vulnerabilities to gain initial access to target systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and scripts within the organization's infrastructure, while maintaining comprehensive logging and monitoring to detect exploitation attempts.