CVE-2006-0819 in Dwarf HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Dwarf HTTP Server 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to obtain the source code of JSP files via (1) dot, (2) space, (3) slash, or (4) NULL characters in the filename extension of an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2019
The dwarf http server version 1.3.2 contains a critical directory traversal vulnerability that stems from insufficient input validation in filename extension handling. This flaw allows remote attackers to access sensitive server-side files including jsp source code through carefully crafted http requests that manipulate filename extensions using specific character sequences. The vulnerability exists due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input during file resolution processes, creating an attack vector that bypasses normal access controls and file system restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on four specific character sequences that can be injected into filename extensions to manipulate the server's file resolution mechanism. These include dot characters that can be used to traverse directory structures, space characters that may cause parsing inconsistencies, slash characters that can alter path resolution, and null characters that can terminate string processing prematurely. When these characters are embedded in the filename extension portion of an http request, the server fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, allowing unauthorized access to files outside the intended web root directory.
This vulnerability presents significant operational impact for systems running the affected http server version, as it enables attackers to extract sensitive source code from jsp files that may contain business logic, database connection strings, authentication mechanisms, and other confidential information. The exposure of jsp source code provides attackers with detailed insights into application architecture, potentially enabling further exploitation techniques including injection attacks, privilege escalation, and targeted attacks against specific application components. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of source code but also potentially exposes underlying system configurations and security implementations.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of the dwarf http server, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file-related requests, and configuring web server access controls to prevent directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cw 22 and attack technique t1005 from the mitre att&ck framework, specifically addressing path traversal and credential access categories. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to detect and block malicious requests containing the specific character sequences that trigger this vulnerability. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other web applications and server components that may be susceptible to similar directory traversal attacks.