CVE-2006-1813 in phpWebFTP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in phpWebFTP 3.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1813 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in phpWebFTP version 3.2 and earlier, which exposes systems to unauthorized file access. This issue specifically affects the index.php script where the language parameter is processed without adequate input validation, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate file paths and access sensitive system files. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing malicious actors to exploit the weakness through simple directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which classifies it as a "Path Traversal" or "Directory Traversal" attack pattern. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal effort to exploit, as attackers only need to append directory traversal sequences to the language parameter in the URL. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by undermining its file access controls and authentication mechanisms, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access system configuration files, user credentials stored in plain text, application source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities, and other sensitive resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can use the compromised system to gather intelligence for further attacks or to establish persistence. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system by allowing unauthorized access to protected resources and potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1813 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file operations. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences or special characters that could manipulate file paths. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches or upgrade to phpWebFTP versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the original software is no longer maintained. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, restricting file system access for web applications, and employing web application firewalls can provide defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious directory traversal attempts in web server logs, and regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application codebase.