CVE-2006-0090 in IDV Directory Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in IDV Directory Viewer before 2005.1 allows remote attackers to view arbitrary directory contents via a .. (dot dot) in the dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2017
The CVE-2006-0090 vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw in the IDV Directory Viewer software, specifically affecting versions prior to 2005.1. This vulnerability resides within the index.php script and demonstrates a fundamental security weakness in how the application processes user-supplied directory path parameters. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the dir parameter by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, which allows them to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exposes the underlying system to unauthorized file access and can potentially lead to sensitive data disclosure, system compromise, or further exploitation opportunities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the IDV Directory Viewer application. When a user provides a dir parameter containing .. sequences, the application fails to adequately sanitize this input before using it in file system operations. This absence of proper validation allows the attacker to manipulate the directory traversal logic and access files outside the intended viewing scope. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication. The attack vector is straightforward and relies on the application's failure to properly resolve and validate directory paths, which is a common weakness in web applications that directly incorporate user input into file system operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use such flaws to discover sensitive files and potentially deliver malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-0090 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to potentially read system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive information stored on the server. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited repeatedly, making it a significant concern for organizations running affected versions of IDV Directory Viewer. Attackers may leverage this weakness to gain insights into the application's architecture, identify additional vulnerabilities, or extract credentials that could lead to further system compromise. The vulnerability also poses risks to data confidentiality and integrity, as unauthorized access to directory contents may expose sensitive organizational data or application logic that could be used for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using vulnerable versions of this software face potential regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage if sensitive data is accessed through this vulnerability. The attack can be executed through simple web requests, making it easily exploitable by automated tools and increasing the likelihood of successful compromise. Remediation requires immediate patching of the affected software to implement proper input validation and path sanitization, ensuring that directory traversal attempts are properly rejected or resolved within the intended directory boundaries.