CVE-2006-1162 in Nodez
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Nodez 4.6.1.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to read or include arbitrary PHP files via a .. (dot dot) in the op parameter, as demonstrated by inserting malicious Email parameters into list.gtdat, then accessing list.gtdat using the op parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1162 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Nodez version 4.6.1.1 and earlier installations. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the op parameter handling within the application's file inclusion logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file access patterns through crafted directory navigation sequences. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code or retrieve sensitive information from the server's file system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the op parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as .. which allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. When combined with the ability to inject malicious Email parameters into list.gtdat files, attackers can craft payloads that leverage the directory traversal capability to access arbitrary PHP files on the server. This particular implementation allows for the inclusion of files that should normally be protected from direct access, effectively undermining the application's security model and potentially exposing sensitive server resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities and complete system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw to read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or physical presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. The combination of directory traversal with file inclusion mechanisms creates a powerful attack vector that can be leveraged to establish persistent access or extract valuable data from compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1162 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Nodez or implement web application firewall rules that block suspicious directory traversal patterns in URL parameters. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1083 for file and directory traversal. Regular security auditing and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other applications, particularly those handling user-supplied file paths or parameters that could influence file access operations.