CVE-2005-3040 in Vista
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the web interface (ISALogin.dll) for TAC Vista 4.0, and possibly other versions before 4.3, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the Template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3040 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the web interface component of TAC Vista 4.0 software. This weakness specifically affects the ISALogin.dll module which serves as the authentication and login interface for the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within the file system operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences using the ".." notation within the Template parameter field. This particular implementation flaw allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive system files that should remain protected from external inspection.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal or path traversal attacks as a common weakness in software security implementations. The flaw operates at the application layer where user input directly influences file system access operations without proper sanitization or validation. When the web interface processes the Template parameter containing traversal sequences, the application fails to properly validate or normalize the input path before attempting to access files on the underlying operating system. This creates an opportunity for attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files that may contain sensitive information such as configuration data, user credentials, or system binaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system resources that could facilitate further exploitation. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system files, configuration databases, or even executable components that may contain sensitive data or provide insights into the system architecture. The vulnerability affects not only TAC Vista 4.0 but potentially other versions prior to 4.3, indicating a widespread issue within the product line that required patching across multiple releases. This suggests the flaw was present in the core authentication module and was not properly addressed in the software development lifecycle, highlighting potential gaps in security testing and code review processes.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping it to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through path traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially obtain sensitive information that could be used for additional attacks within the network environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, proper path normalization, and access controls that restrict file system access to authenticated users only. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to TAC Vista 4.3 or later versions where the directory traversal vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should also be implemented to limit access to the affected web interface, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.