CVE-2005-1658 in MyServer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in filemanager.cpp in MyServer 0.8 allows remote attackers to list the parent directory of the web root via a URL with a "..." (triple dot).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1658 represents a classic directory traversal flaw that affects the MyServer 0.8 web server implementation. This security weakness resides within the filemanager.cpp component and enables remote attackers to access directories outside the intended web root boundary. The specific exploitation technique involves crafting URLs that contain the triple dot sequence ".." which is a standard Unix/Linux directory navigation pattern indicating a parent directory reference. When the web server processes such requests without proper input validation, it fails to sanitize the path components, allowing unauthorized access to the file system hierarchy beyond the designated web root directory.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in input sanitization and path validation mechanisms within the MyServer application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to enumerate directories, access sensitive files, and potentially execute arbitrary code depending on the server configuration and file permissions. The triple dot pattern ".." when processed by the vulnerable server component bypasses normal security boundaries, effectively allowing attackers to traverse upward through the directory structure and access parent directories of the web root.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the entire server environment. Remote attackers can use this flaw to access configuration files, database files, application source code, and other sensitive system resources that should remain protected within the web root. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to web server security as it allows unauthorized access to the underlying file system, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, install malicious software, or extract confidential data. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1658 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the MyServer application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects any URL components containing directory traversal sequences such as ".." or similar patterns. Security controls should be implemented at the application level to normalize and validate all file paths before processing, ensuring that requests remain within the designated web root directory boundaries. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage that could occur even if the vulnerability is exploited. The remediation should include updating to a patched version of MyServer or implementing a web application firewall rule that blocks requests containing directory traversal patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities in web applications.