CVE-2005-2147 in Trac
Summary
by MITRE
Trac before 0.8.4 allows remote attackers to read or upload arbitrary files via a full pathname in the id parameter to the (1) upload or (2) attachment viewer scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2147 affects Trac versions prior to 0.8.4 and represents a critical path traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access or upload arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability resides in the upload and attachment viewer scripts where the id parameter fails to properly validate input containing full pathnames. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive files or system resources through crafted requests that include absolute file paths.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The technical implementation involves the application failing to sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file system operations. When the id parameter contains a full pathname, the application processes this input without adequate validation, allowing attackers to reference files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability affects both upload functionality and attachment viewing scripts, creating multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2147 is significant as it can enable attackers to read sensitive files from the server filesystem, potentially including configuration files, source code, database credentials, or other confidential information. Additionally, the ability to upload arbitrary files through the upload script could allow attackers to deploy malicious payloads, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability essentially provides a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the underlying file system, creating opportunities for data exfiltration, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to Trac version 0.8.4 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent path traversal attacks. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing proper access controls, validating all user input, and restricting file upload capabilities to trusted users only. Network segmentation and monitoring of file system access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers can use this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges through the exposure of sensitive files.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control implementation in web applications. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient sanitization of user-provided data can lead to severe security consequences. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in their software applications. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to protect against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2005-2147 that have been documented and remediated in newer versions of affected software components.