CVE-2005-4074 in Cf Nuke
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.cfm in CF_Nuke 4.6 and earlier, when Sandbox Security is disabled, allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local .cfm files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) sector or (2) page parameters.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4074 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the CF_Nuke content management system version 4.6 and earlier. This security weakness specifically affects applications where Sandbox Security has been disabled, creating an exploitable condition that enables remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests through the manipulation of sector and page parameters in the index.cfm script, allowing attackers to navigate the file system hierarchy using standard dot-dot notation sequences.
The technical exploitation occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters before using them in file inclusion operations. When attackers supply .. (dot dot) sequences in either the sector or page parameters, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, enabling path traversal beyond the intended directory boundaries. This flaw directly relates to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability enables attackers to include arbitrary local .cfm files, potentially exposing sensitive application components, configuration files, or system resources to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the application context. By including local .cfm files, threat actors can potentially access server-side components, retrieve configuration data, or even execute malicious code that could compromise the entire application environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous when combined with the fact that it occurs in applications with disabled sandbox security, which normally would provide additional protection layers against such attacks. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as attackers could leverage the ability to include files to establish persistent access or execute malicious scripts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4074 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict validation before being processed in file inclusion operations, with particular attention to removing or encoding special characters such as .. sequences. The most effective remediation involves enabling sandbox security features that were designed to prevent such path traversal scenarios. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the application architecture can significantly reduce the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system, particularly those involving dynamic file operations or user input processing. The vulnerability underscores the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks at multiple layers of the application stack.