CVE-2005-2648 in W-Agora
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in W-Agora 4.2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via the site parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2648 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the W-Agora web application version 4.2.0 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the index.php file which processes user input through the site parameter without adequate validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file access requests by crafting malicious input that exploits improper input handling mechanisms. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature are classified under CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy using sequences like ../ or ..\ to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize the site parameter input before using it in file system operations. When a user provides input through the site parameter, the application directly incorporates this value into file access operations without performing adequate checks to ensure the requested path remains within predefined boundaries. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the server's file system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected system. The impact is significant as it can potentially expose configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information that may be stored on the server.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations using affected W-Agora installations as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the server. The potential consequences include exposure of sensitive data, disclosure of application source code that may reveal additional vulnerabilities, and access to system configuration files that could aid in further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities where adversaries attempt to gather information about the target system. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local system compromise, making it a particularly dangerous security weakness. Organizations may also face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is exposed through this vulnerability, particularly in environments subject to data protection regulations.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation that rejects or filters out any input containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\. Additionally, applications should employ secure coding practices that utilize whitelisting mechanisms or proper path normalization to ensure that file access operations remain within intended directories. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires updating to W-Agora versions that address this vulnerability, as well as conducting thorough security reviews of all input handling mechanisms within the application. System administrators should also implement monitoring and logging of file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that the application operates within expected parameters. Security patches and updates should be applied promptly to prevent exploitation, and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts.