CVE-2005-3307 in FlatNuke
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php for FlatNuke 2.5.6 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the (1) user parameter in a profile operation or (2) quale parameter in a newtopic operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-3307 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within FlatNuke 2.5.6, a content management system that was widely used in web applications during that era. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file system operations. The vulnerability specifically affects two distinct parameter handling scenarios within the FlatNuke framework, creating multiple attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files.
The technical exploitation occurs through the manipulation of directory traversal sequences using double dots ".." in either the user parameter during profile operations or the quale parameter during newtopic operations. When these parameters are processed without proper sanitization, the application fails to validate the input against legitimate file paths, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental principle that web applications should never trust user input and must always validate and sanitize all external data before processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations running FlatNuke 2.5.6 systems, as it enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. Successful exploitation could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and potentially system files that contain critical security parameters. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers might gain insights into the application's architecture and underlying system configuration, facilitating further attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes the discovery of system information through directory traversal attacks, and T1005, covering the collection of data from local systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that FlatNuke was a popular content management system in the mid-2000s, with numerous organizations relying on it for their web presence. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it accessible to attackers anywhere on the internet. The lack of proper input validation in these specific parameter handling scenarios creates a persistent threat that remains active as long as vulnerable versions of FlatNuke remain in use. Organizations that have not updated their systems or migrated from FlatNuke face ongoing exposure to this vulnerability, which could serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3307 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences or special characters that could be used to manipulate file paths. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to ensure that the web application cannot access files beyond its intended scope. Additionally, the system should employ proper file path resolution techniques that normalize all input paths and prevent path traversal attacks. The recommended solution aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and follows the principle of least privilege, ensuring that applications only have access to the resources they require for legitimate operations. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.