CVE-2005-1367 in Pico Server
Summary
by MITRE
Pico Server (pServ) 3.2 and earlier allows local users to read arbitrary files as the pServ user via a symlink to a file outside of the web document root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1367 affects Pico Server version 3.2 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that enables local attackers to access files outside the designated web document root through symbolic link manipulation. This issue stems from inadequate path validation within the server's file access mechanisms, creating a directory traversal vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious users with local system access. The vulnerability specifically targets the pServ user context, meaning that any local user who can create or manipulate symbolic links within the server environment can potentially read sensitive files that should remain restricted to authorized access only.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the server's failure to properly validate symbolic links during file access operations. When a malicious user creates a symbolic link pointing to files outside the web root directory, the server processes the request without sufficient validation to ensure the target file remains within authorized boundaries. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of access control and path restriction, allowing unauthorized file access through what should be protected directories. The vulnerability operates at the file system level where the server's symbolic link resolution does not properly enforce the security boundaries established by the web document root configuration.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems running affected Pico Server versions as it enables local privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks. An attacker with local access can leverage this flaw to read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data that may contain authentication tokens, encryption keys, or system information. The impact extends beyond simple file reading as it can potentially expose system internals that may aid in further exploitation attempts, including the possibility of gaining deeper system access or conducting reconnaissance for additional vulnerabilities. The local nature of the attack reduces the complexity of exploitation but still maintains significant risk due to the potential for sensitive data exposure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1367 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Pico Server installations to version 3.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for symbolic link validation. System administrators should also implement proper file system permissions and access controls to limit local user privileges, particularly regarding the ability to create symbolic links in server directories. Additional protective measures include disabling symbolic link resolution in web server configurations, implementing proper input validation for file access operations, and conducting regular security audits to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized symbolic link creation attempts and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues in other web server implementations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers file and directory discovery. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control validation and path restriction in web server implementations. The vulnerability also reflects broader security concerns regarding symbolic link handling in Unix-like systems and highlights the need for robust input validation in all file system operations. Security practitioners should note that similar patterns of vulnerability exist across multiple web server platforms, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security testing and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies to protect against path traversal attacks.