CVE-2005-1699 in PostNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in pnadminapi.php in the Xanthia module in PostNuke 0.760-RC3 allows remote administrators to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the skin parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1699 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Xanthia module of PostNuke version 0.760-RC3. This security weakness specifically affects the pnadminapi.php component and enables remote administrative attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through manipulation of the skin parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access sensitive system files.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw operates by exploiting the lack of proper input sanitization in the skin parameter handling, where attackers can inject sequences such as .. to move up directory levels and access files outside the intended web root or module directories. The impact is particularly severe for remote administrators since they can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other confidential information that should remain protected within the application's restricted access zones.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple file reading capabilities, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system components and sensitive data. Remote administrators who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to read arbitrary files, which may include database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, and other confidential information stored in the system. This access could enable further exploitation attempts, including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of PostNuke, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this content management system for their web presence.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the pnadminapi.php component. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that filters out or rejects directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e in the skin parameter. Additionally, developers should enforce proper access controls and implement the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrative functions are properly authenticated and that file access operations are restricted to authorized users only. Organizations should also consider implementing input normalization techniques that convert encoded directory traversal sequences into safe formats before processing user input. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing directory traversal attacks, aligning with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566.001 for credential access through legitimate credentials. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in legacy systems and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized file access and system compromise.