CVE-2005-1355 in includer.cgi
Summary
by MITRE
includer.cgi in The Includer allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the argument, a similar vulnerability to CVE-2005-0801.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1355 affects The Includer software and represents a classic file inclusion flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. This vulnerability specifically resides in the includer.cgi component and exploits a design weakness in how the application processes file path arguments. The flaw operates by accepting a full pathname as input parameter, which then gets processed without adequate validation or sanitization, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to traverse the file system and retrieve sensitive information from unauthorized locations. This vulnerability type falls under the category of path traversal attacks and demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation in the application's file handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate the argument passed to includer.cgi by providing a full file path that points to system files or directories outside the intended scope. When the application processes this input, it directly incorporates the specified path into file operations without proper authorization checks or path validation, effectively bypassing normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized file reads that could include system configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential data stored on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1355 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system resources that may contain sensitive data or enable further exploitation. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the targeted files contain authentication credentials, database connection strings, or application configuration details. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the vulnerable application is running, and its exploitation can occur remotely without requiring any special privileges or authentication. This makes it particularly dangerous in web environments where applications are exposed to untrusted networks and attackers can leverage the flaw from any location with network access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the includer.cgi application. The most effective approach involves validating all file path inputs to ensure they fall within the intended directory scope and rejecting any attempts to traverse parent directories using sequences such as "../". Security measures should include implementing whitelisting of allowed file paths, using secure file access methods that prevent path traversal, and restricting file access permissions to minimize the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file path patterns, while ensuring that the application follows secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the owasp foundation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing proper input validation as outlined in common weakness enumeration cwe-22 and attack technique t1071.301.