CVE-2006-2105 in Jupiter CMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Jupiter CMS 1.1.4 and 1.1.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." sequences terminated by a %00 (null) character in the n parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2017
This vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw that affects Jupiter CMS versions 1.1.4 and 1.1.5, specifically within the index.php file. The issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an opportunity for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages null byte termination in the n parameter, which allows attackers to bypass certain security mechanisms that might otherwise detect or block directory traversal attempts. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector operates through the manipulation of file path references in the web application's code execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way Jupiter CMS processes the n parameter in its index.php file. When an attacker submits a crafted request containing ".." sequences followed by a null character, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in file operations. This allows the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain protected. The null byte termination aspect is particularly significant because it can terminate string processing in certain contexts, potentially allowing the traversal to succeed even when traditional filtering mechanisms might detect the ".." sequences. This technique demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how different programming languages and web servers handle null-terminated strings and file path resolution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations running affected Jupiter CMS versions. Attackers can potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other confidential data stored on the web server. The ability to read arbitrary files without authentication represents a critical security breach that can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the server or local network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of files and directories, and T1566, which addresses the initial access phase through vulnerable web applications.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Jupiter CMS installations to the latest available versions that address this specific directory traversal flaw. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms must be strengthened to properly filter out directory traversal sequences, including null bytes and other potentially dangerous characters. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block requests containing suspicious path traversal patterns. Additionally, implementing proper file access controls and ensuring that web applications run with minimal required privileges can help reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, as this type of flaw is commonly found in legacy web applications and can serve as a vector for more sophisticated attacks.