CVE-2005-4600 in TinyMCE Compressor PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in tiny_mce_gzip.php in TinyMCE Compressor PHP before 1.06 allows remote attackers to read or include arbitrary files via a trailing null byte (%00) in the (1) theme, (2) language, (3) plugins, or (4) lang parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2024
The CVE-2005-4600 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the TinyMCE Compressor PHP component that affected versions prior to 1.06. This vulnerability resides in the tiny_mce_gzip.php file and exploits a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms. The flaw specifically targets four parameter types including theme, language, plugins, and lang parameters, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability leverages the manipulation of trailing null bytes represented as %00 in web requests to bypass normal file access controls and directory restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the TinyMCE compression utility. When the application processes requests containing these parameters, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to append trailing null bytes to parameter values, effectively truncating the intended file paths and enabling access to arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability operates at the core level of file handling within the compression utility, where the application constructs file paths based on user input without proper boundary checks or input filtering mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to web applications utilizing the TinyMCE editor component. Attackers can exploit this flaw to read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, source code, or other confidential information stored on the server. The potential impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include possible remote code execution scenarios when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the application has write permissions to critical directories. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability affects widely used web editing components and can be exploited without authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental security misconfiguration in input handling and file access control mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the "Path Traversal" tactic, where adversaries manipulate file path resolution to access unauthorized resources. Organizations running affected versions of TinyMCE face potential data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching to version 1.06 or later, which contains proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also implement input filtering at the web application firewall level, ensuring that null byte characters are rejected or properly sanitized before reaching the application layer. Additional protective measures include restricting file permissions on sensitive directories, implementing proper access controls for the TinyMCE components, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.