CVE-2006-1771 in SAXoPRESS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in misc in pbcs.dll in SAXoTECH SAXoPRESS, aka Saxotech Online (formerly Publicus) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files and possibly execute arbitrary programs via a .. (dot dot) in the url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1771 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the pbcs.dll component of SAXoTECH SAXoPRESS software, formerly known as Publicus. This software serves as a web content management system that processes user requests through URL parameters. The vulnerability specifically affects the misc module within the pbcs.dll library, which handles various web service operations. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation when processing URL parameters that contain directory traversal sequences, particularly those utilizing the .. (dot dot) notation. This allows malicious actors to manipulate file access paths and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing file system requests. When a URL parameter containing directory traversal sequences is submitted to the affected system, the application fails to validate or filter out potentially dangerous path manipulation attempts. This lack of input sanitization creates a condition where an attacker can navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting web service endpoints that process file-related operations, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments where the software is exposed to external network traffic.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using SAXoTECH SAXoPRESS systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to read arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data. In some cases, the vulnerability may also allow for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to gain full control over the affected system. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, or service disruption. Organizations relying on this software for web content management face substantial risk exposure, particularly in environments where the system processes untrusted user input.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", and demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and potentially T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) if code execution is achieved. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication, as it only requires sending a specially crafted URL parameter containing directory traversal sequences to the affected web service. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, directory access restrictions, and application firewalls to prevent exploitation. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in legacy web applications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing directory traversal attacks that have remained prevalent in web applications for many years.