CVE-2005-3929 in Xaraya
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the create function in xarMLSXML2PHPBackend.php in Xaraya 1.0 allows remote attackers to create directories and overwrite arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the module parameter to index.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3929 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Xaraya content management system version 1.0. This weakness exists in the xarMLSXML2PHPBackend.php file, specifically within the create function that processes module parameters through the index.php endpoint. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file system operations through carefully crafted ".." sequences in the module parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental lack of proper path validation within the application's backend processing logic. When the create function processes user-supplied module parameters, it does not adequately sanitize or validate the input to prevent directory traversal attacks. This allows attackers to inject ".." sequences that can navigate outside the intended directory structure, potentially creating directories or overwriting arbitrary files on the target system. The vulnerability specifically affects the xarMLSXML2PHPBackend.php component, which serves as a backend processing module for XML to PHP conversion operations within the Xaraya framework.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk that can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker with remote access capabilities can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary file operations, potentially leading to unauthorized directory creation, file overwrites, and in severe cases, remote code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and manipulate the file system directly, which can result in data corruption, privilege escalation, or complete system takeover. The attack vector through index.php makes this particularly dangerous as it allows exploitation through standard web application interfaces without requiring special privileges or direct system access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal weaknesses in software applications. This classification indicates that the flaw involves improper handling of file paths that allows attackers to access files or directories outside the intended scope. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code through manipulated file operations. The vulnerability also relates to T1566 for credential access through file system manipulation, as attackers can potentially overwrite configuration files or access sensitive data through the compromised file system operations.
Effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application's data processing pipeline. Organizations should immediately implement proper path validation that rejects or filters out directory traversal sequences such as ".." or similar path manipulation patterns. The fix should include absolute path validation that ensures all file operations occur within designated safe directories and that user-supplied input is properly escaped or encoded before being processed. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage potential of such attacks. The most effective remediation involves updating to a patched version of Xaraya 1.0 or applying the specific security patches that address the directory traversal vulnerability in the xarMLSXML2PHPBackend.php component. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the application stack.