CVE-2005-2043 in Apache Distribution
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in XAMPP before 1.4.14 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and PHP code via lang.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2043 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within XAMPP versions prior to 1.4.14, specifically affecting the lang.php component. This weakness enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the language configuration handling system, which fails to properly restrict user-supplied data from influencing file system access patterns.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through the manipulation of parameter values passed to the lang.php script, allowing attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected. The flaw specifically affects how the application processes language selection parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the web server context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to inject arbitrary HTML and PHP code directly into the web application. This allows for complete compromise of the affected system, enabling attackers to perform actions such as data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistent backdoor installation. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers running vulnerable XAMPP installations.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which covers web shell deployment through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable XAMPP installations, followed by exploitation of the directory traversal flaw to inject malicious payloads. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which addresses data from information repositories, as attackers can potentially access sensitive configuration files and database contents through the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of XAMPP installations to version 1.4.14 or later, where the directory traversal protections have been implemented. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including the use of allowlists for language parameter values and strict path validation. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, restricting file permissions, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security design, as it could have been prevented through defensive programming practices that validate and sanitize all user-supplied inputs before processing them within the application context.