CVE-2006-2280 in openEngine
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in website.php in openEngine 1.8 Beta 2 and earlier allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories and read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2280 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the openEngine content management system version 1.8 Beta 2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the website.php script where user input is improperly validated and processed, specifically within the template parameter handling mechanism. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate directory paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. which can be exploited to access files and directories beyond the intended scope of the application. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22 Path Traversal or Directory Traversal, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in input validation and file access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences in the template parameter of the website.php script. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization or validation, it allows the attacker to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple file listing to include arbitrary file reading, which means attackers can potentially access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive information stored on the server. This vulnerability essentially undermines the application's file system access controls and represents a significant bypass of the intended security boundaries.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using affected versions of openEngine. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to server files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to read sensitive files including but not limited to database connection strings, administrative credentials, and application configuration files that could provide further attack vectors. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to leverage. This type of vulnerability is commonly mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries enumerate file systems to identify sensitive data and potential attack paths. Organizations may experience data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory compliance violations when such vulnerabilities exist in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2280 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the openEngine developers. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed as legitimate file paths. The application should enforce strict file access controls and validate all user-supplied input against a whitelist of allowed characters and patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls through web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental defensive measures against directory traversal attacks, aligning with industry best practices for preventing CWE-22 type vulnerabilities in web applications.