CVE-2006-0815 in NetworkActiv Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
NetworkActiv Web Server 3.5.15 allows remote attackers to read script source code via a crafted URL with a "/" (forward slash) after the file extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0815 affects NetworkActiv Web Server version 3.5.15 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive script source code through carefully constructed URL requests. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of file extensions and path traversal mechanisms within the web server's request processing logic, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exposure that could compromise application security and intellectual property.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a specific parsing behavior in the web server's file resolution system where the presence of a forward slash character immediately following a file extension triggers an unexpected response. When an attacker crafts a URL containing this specific pattern, the server fails to properly validate the request structure and instead serves the raw source code of server-side scripts rather than executing them or returning an appropriate error response. This behavior typically occurs because the web server's path resolution algorithm does not adequately distinguish between legitimate file requests and maliciously constructed paths designed to bypass normal access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed script source code often contains sensitive elements such as database connection strings, API keys, authentication credentials, and application logic that could be leveraged by attackers to escalate their privileges or conduct further exploitation. The vulnerability affects any server-side scripting languages that might be supported by the web server, including but not limited to asp, php, or perl scripts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple scripting technologies are deployed. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations that host applications containing proprietary code or sensitive business logic within their web server configurations.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and the broader category of path traversal attacks that have been documented in numerous security frameworks including the ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation through information gathering. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-502, which covers deserialization of untrusted data, as the malformed URL request represents an untrusted input that the server processes without adequate sanitization or validation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of NetworkActiv Web Server, implementing proper input validation for URL requests, and configuring web server access controls to prevent unauthorized access to script files. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on suspicious URL patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security assessments should verify that no script source code is inadvertently exposed through other web server configurations or misconfigurations.