CVE-2005-1952 in Pico Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Pico Server (pServ) 3.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and execute arbitrary commands via a /./ (slash dot slash) before each .. (dot dot) sequence in the URL, which results in an incorrect directory depth count.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
The CVE-2005-1952 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Pico Server version 3.3 that enables remote attackers to bypass access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's handling of URL path sequences, exploiting a fundamental flaw in how the software processes directory navigation commands. The vulnerability arises from the server's improper interpretation of path traversal sequences, particularly when slash dot slash followed by dot dot sequences are encountered in URLs. This misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate file access patterns and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate validation of URL path components and flawed directory depth counting mechanisms. When a malicious user crafts a URL containing the pattern /./ before each .. sequence, the server incorrectly calculates the directory depth, allowing it to traverse beyond the intended root directory boundaries. This misinterpretation occurs because the server fails to properly normalize path components before processing them, creating a pathway for attackers to access files outside the designated web root directory. The vulnerability specifically affects the path resolution logic within the Pico Server's file handling routines, where the software does not adequately sanitize or validate input containing directory traversal sequences.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Pico Server 3.3 for web hosting services. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to read arbitrary files, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, user databases, system logs, and other confidential data. The ability to execute arbitrary commands through this vulnerability transforms a simple information disclosure issue into a full system compromise scenario. Attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This classification highlights the fundamental flaw in input validation and path resolution within the affected software. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers can use this flaw to gather information about the target system before executing more sophisticated attacks. Organizations with vulnerable systems face potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the Pico Server software to version 3.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper path normalization and validation. System administrators should implement input validation measures to filter or reject URLs containing suspicious path traversal sequences before they reach the server's file handling components. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block requests containing the specific /./.. pattern that triggers this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other applications or systems running vulnerable versions of Pico Server, and ensure that all web services implement proper access controls and input sanitization mechanisms. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be maintained to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.