CVE-2005-2792 in phpLDAPadmin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in welcome.php in phpLDAPadmin 0.9.6 and 0.9.7 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the custom_welcome_page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2792 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpLDAPadmin web application version 0.9.6 and 0.9.7. This security weakness specifically affects the welcome.php script which processes user input through the custom_welcome_page parameter. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path access, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the application's file system access behavior. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature are classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive system information or configuration data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) within the custom_welcome_page parameter. This manipulation allows the application to interpret the user-supplied input as a legitimate file path reference, bypassing normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level, potentially enabling attackers to read system files, configuration files, or other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers could potentially access database connection details, application credentials, or other confidential information stored in accessible files. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes the discovery of files and directories, and T1566, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-2792 is significant for organizations utilizing affected versions of phpLDAPadmin, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized file system access without requiring authentication or specific privileges. The vulnerability affects the web application's authentication model since it operates at the application layer rather than requiring valid credentials. Organizations using this software may experience data breaches, compliance violations, and potential system compromise if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly concerning because phpLDAPadmin is commonly used for managing ldap directory services, making it a critical component in many enterprise environments where directory access is tightly controlled. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected phpLDAPadmin versions to the latest releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or rejects directory traversal sequences in all user-supplied parameters. The application should employ proper file path resolution techniques that prevent path traversal attacks by ensuring that all file operations occur within predefined safe directories. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper application-level fixes. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary features and restricting file system access permissions to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The remediation process should also involve monitoring for any unauthorized access attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to track potential exploitation attempts.