CVE-2005-4147 in ListManager
Summary
by MITRE
The TCLHTTPd service in Lyris ListManager before 8.9b allows remote attackers to obtain source code for arbitrary .tml (TCL) files via (1) a request with a trailing null byte (%00), which might also require (2) an authentication bypass step that involves a username with a trailing "@" characters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4147 affects the TCLHTTPd service component within Lyris ListManager versions prior to 8.9b, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote code execution through source code disclosure. This vulnerability resides in the web server implementation that processes requests for TCL template files with the .tml extension, creating an attack surface where unauthorized users can access sensitive server-side code through manipulated HTTP requests. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of path traversal and information disclosure vulnerabilities that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling methodologies.
The technical exploitation mechanism leverages a specific request format incorporating a trailing null byte character encoded as %00, which when processed by the vulnerable TCLHTTPd service causes the system to return the source code of arbitrary TCL files instead of properly handling the request. This behavior occurs because the service fails to properly sanitize input parameters before processing file requests, allowing attackers to manipulate the file access mechanism. The vulnerability requires a two-step exploitation approach where attackers must first bypass authentication through a username containing a trailing "@" character, which suggests the presence of weak authentication handling or improper input validation in the service's access control mechanisms. This authentication bypass component indicates potential flaws in the credential validation process that could be classified under CWE-287 for improper authentication handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of TCL source code provides attackers with detailed insights into the application's internal logic, potential data structures, and implementation patterns. This intelligence can be leveraged for further exploitation attempts, including identifying additional vulnerabilities within the application's codebase or crafting more sophisticated attacks against the system. The ability to access arbitrary .tml files means that attackers could potentially retrieve configuration files, database connection details, or other sensitive information embedded within the TCL templates, creating a comprehensive attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 for Data from Information Repositories.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper access control implementation that has been repeatedly identified in web application security assessments. Organizations running affected versions of Lyris ListManager face significant risk of unauthorized access to their mailing list management systems, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or further compromise of network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-77 and CWE-20 standards reflects its nature as a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the web server's file access behavior through malformed input parameters. Security practitioners should consider implementing immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 8.9b, implementing proper input sanitization measures, and strengthening authentication controls to prevent unauthorized access to the affected service.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening approaches. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Lyris ListManager version 8.9b or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation and authentication bypass issues. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input sanitization at the application level to prevent null byte injection attacks and ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before processing. Network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to the affected service and web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests containing null byte sequences should be deployed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.