CVE-2005-2140 in FSboard
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in default.asp for FSboard 2.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the filename parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2140 represents a classic directory traversal flaw affecting FSboard 2.0's default.asp component. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filename parameters. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes file requests without adequately filtering or escaping directory navigation sequences such as ".." which are commonly used to traverse filesystem paths. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include these traversal sequences in the filename parameter, enabling them to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into file system operations without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw exists at the application logic level where the filename parameter is processed without ensuring that it remains within the designated application directory boundaries. When the web server processes requests containing directory traversal sequences, it interprets these as legitimate path navigation commands rather than malicious input, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive user information. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, which may include database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, or even system-level files that could facilitate further exploitation. The remote nature of this attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain insights into the application architecture, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-2140 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms at all levels of the application stack. Organizations should deploy proper parameter validation that explicitly checks for directory traversal sequences and rejects any input containing ".." or similar path navigation characters. The implementation should include absolute path validation that ensures all file operations occur within predetermined safe directories, preventing any attempt to access parent directories. Additionally, application developers should implement proper access controls and privilege separation, ensuring that the web application runs with minimal necessary permissions. Security measures should also include regular input filtering, output encoding, and the implementation of secure coding practices that prevent user-supplied data from being directly interpreted as filesystem paths. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious directory traversal patterns. The remediation process should involve thorough code review and testing to ensure that all file access operations properly validate and sanitize user input, following established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development practices.