CVE-2005-1925 in Tikiwiki
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Tikiwiki before 1.9.1 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files and execute commands via (1) the suck_url parameter to tiki-editpage.php or (2) language parameter to tiki-user_preferences.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-1925 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Tikiwiki versions prior to 1.9.1. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web application's file handling processes. The primary impact involves unauthorized access to sensitive system files and potential remote command execution capabilities that could compromise the entire web server infrastructure.
The technical exploitation occurs through manipulation of specific parameters within the application's URL structure. The first vector targets the suck_url parameter in tiki-editpage.php, while the second exploits the language parameter in tiki-user_preferences.php. Both vulnerabilities stem from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures beyond the intended application boundaries. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to access files that should remain protected within the application's designated directories.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on Tikiwiki for content management and collaboration services. Successful exploitation allows attackers to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, user data, and application source code. The ability to execute commands remotely through these traversal vulnerabilities creates a pathway for full system compromise, making this a critical security concern for any environment where Tikiwiki is deployed. The attack surface extends beyond simple file reading to include potential privilege escalation and persistent backdoor establishment.
The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) where attackers may leverage directory traversal to gather intelligence about the target system. Additionally, the ability to execute commands remotely corresponds to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) techniques. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including patching to Tikiwiki version 1.9.1 or later, implementing input validation controls, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious directory traversal patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web application security design.