CVE-2005-4201 in My Album Online
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in My Album Online 1.0 allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via ".../" (triple dot) sequences in unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-4201 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within My Album Online version 1.0, a web application designed for online photo album management. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes file access requests containing triple dot sequences such as ".../" which are commonly used in directory traversal attacks to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. The flaw exists in the application's file handling logic where it does not adequately validate or filter path traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted requests.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal. The attack vector leverages the fundamental weakness in how the application resolves file paths, enabling unauthorized access to files outside the designated web root directory. When an attacker submits a request containing the triple dot traversal sequence, the application processes these sequences without proper sanitization, allowing the attacker to access sensitive files including configuration files, database files, system files, or other restricted resources that should not be accessible through normal application usage. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper access control mechanisms within the application's file handling routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially exposing sensitive data and system resources to unauthorized access. An attacker could exploit this weakness to retrieve critical system files, application configuration data, user credentials stored in database files, or even execute arbitrary code if the application's file handling permits script execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to files that should remain protected within the application's restricted directory structure. This exposure could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to personal information stored within the photo album application. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive user data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling code. The primary defense involves ensuring that all user-supplied input containing path traversal sequences such as "../", "..\", or similar patterns are properly filtered or rejected before any file operations are performed. Organizations should implement proper access control mechanisms that enforce strict boundaries on file access operations and utilize secure coding practices that prevent path traversal vulnerabilities. The solution requires implementing proper path validation routines that strip or reject any traversal sequences from file access requests, ensuring that all file operations occur within predefined safe directories. Additionally, the application should implement proper file access controls that enforce least privilege principles and limit the application's ability to access system resources beyond its intended scope. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers discovering file and directory permissions, and T1566 which addresses credential access through various methods including path traversal attacks. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.