CVE-2005-2007 in Trac
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Edgewall Trac 0.8.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to read or write arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the id parameter to the (1) upload or (2) attachment scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2021
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2007 affects Edgewall Trac versions 0.8.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate file access through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the upload and attachment scripts within the Trac web application, which is widely used for project management and bug tracking in software development environments. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input, particularly the id parameter that controls file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insecure handling of path traversal sequences, where the .. (dot dot) notation can be exploited to navigate outside of intended directories. When attackers submit malicious input containing directory traversal sequences to the id parameter in either the upload or attachment scripts, the application processes these requests without adequate validation, allowing access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability. The flaw essentially permits attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially read sensitive configuration files, source code, or write malicious content to critical system locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and compromise entire development environments. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive project data, steal intellectual property, or inject malicious code into the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in development environments where Trac systems often contain source code repositories, configuration files, and sensitive project documentation. Attackers could potentially gain access to database credentials, API keys, or other confidential information stored within the application's file structure, making this a significant threat to software development security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2007 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Trac installations to versions that properly implement input validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that rejects or removes directory traversal sequences from user inputs before processing file operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of Trac systems to untrusted networks, while regular security audits should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Credential Access, indicating that exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while regular security training for developers can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom applications.