CVE-2005-1416 in 04WebServer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in 04WebServer 1.81 allows remote attackers to read files outside of the web root but within the installation folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1416 represents a directory traversal flaw in the 04WebServer version 1.81 web server implementation. This security weakness resides in how the server processes file requests and handles path resolution, creating an opportunity for unauthorized access to sensitive files within the server's installation directory. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's ability to properly validate and sanitize file paths submitted by remote clients, allowing attackers to manipulate request parameters to access files beyond the intended web root directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of file path references in HTTP requests. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing sequences such as "../" or similar path traversal patterns that bypass normal access controls. When the 04WebServer processes these requests, it fails to properly validate the requested file paths, allowing the server to resolve and return files from locations outside the designated web root. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that has been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-22, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')".
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive system files, configuration data, and application source code to unauthorized parties. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access database files, server configuration details, application credentials, and other sensitive information stored within the server's installation directory. The vulnerability affects the server's integrity and confidentiality by allowing unauthorized data access, potentially enabling further exploitation or privilege escalation attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) when combined with other attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1416 should focus on implementing proper input validation and path sanitization within the web server implementation. Organizations should ensure that all file path requests are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories and that path traversal sequences are explicitly rejected. The recommended approach includes implementing strict path validation routines that normalize and verify file paths before processing, ensuring that all requests are confined to the designated web root directory. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing proper access controls and file permissions to limit the impact of any potential exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that the 04WebServer is updated to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious path traversal patterns in web server logs to identify potential exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web server implementations and highlights the persistent nature of path traversal attacks in web applications. Historical analysis shows that similar vulnerabilities have affected numerous web server implementations over the years, making this issue particularly relevant for understanding long-standing security weaknesses in web infrastructure components. Organizations should treat this vulnerability as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of web server configurations to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.