CVE-2006-1791 in QuickBlogger
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in acc.php in QuickBlogger 1.4 allows remote attackers to read or include arbitrary local files via the request parameter. NOTE: this issue can also produce resultant XSS when the associated include statement fails.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1791 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the QuickBlogger 1.4 content management system. This weakness exists in the acc.php file which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters, specifically the request parameter that is processed without adequate security controls. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate file path references and access arbitrary local files on the server hosting the vulnerable application. This directory traversal vulnerability falls 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 technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can bypass normal file access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the server filesystem. When the request parameter is processed by acc.php, it directly incorporates user-supplied input into file inclusion operations without proper validation. This creates an opportunity for attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy using sequences like ../ or ..\ to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to read system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities to include potential code execution through file inclusion mechanisms. When the include statement fails to properly validate the requested file path, it can lead to a secondary vulnerability condition that may result in cross-site scripting attacks. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation can lead to both information disclosure and execution of malicious scripts in the context of affected users' browsers. The combination of directory traversal and potential XSS conditions makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user input for file operations.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability enables unauthorized file access that can lead to privilege escalation if sensitive system files or configuration data are accessible. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, proper parameter sanitization, and restricting file access permissions. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that rejects or sanitizes any path traversal sequences and ensuring that all file operations occur within predefined safe directories. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of QuickBlogger that addresses this vulnerability through proper parameter handling and access control mechanisms.