CVE-2006-2437 in resin
Summary
by MITRE
The viewfile servlet in the documentation package (resin-doc) for Caucho Resin 3.0.17 and 3.0.18 allows remote attackers to obtain the source code for file under the web root via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2437 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the documentation package of Caucho Resin versions 3.0.17 and 3.0.18. This issue affects the viewfile servlet component that is part of the resin-doc module, which is designed to provide documentation access within the Resin web application server environment. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the file parameter processing mechanism, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the viewfile servlet's improper handling of user-supplied input through the file parameter. When an attacker submits a crafted file parameter value, the servlet fails to adequately validate or sanitize the input before using it to construct file paths. This lack of proper input filtering enables attackers to manipulate the file path traversal mechanism and access files located anywhere within the web root directory structure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application level, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive source code files, configuration files, and potentially other system resources that reside within the web application's document root.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing affected Resin versions. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to obtain source code for web applications, which may contain sensitive business logic, database connection strings, authentication mechanisms, and other proprietary information. The exposure of source code represents a severe compromise as it provides attackers with detailed insights into application architecture and potential additional vulnerabilities. Additionally, attackers might access configuration files that contain database credentials, system passwords, or other sensitive administrative information that could lead to further system compromise and unauthorized access to backend resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental security weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovery of file and directory permissions, and T1566, which encompasses the initial access phase through malicious file delivery or exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation tools.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of Resin, applying the appropriate security updates from Caucho, or implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within their web application configurations. Network-level mitigations such as firewall rules restricting access to documentation servlets and web application firewalls can provide temporary protection while permanent fixes are implemented. The remediation process should include comprehensive security auditing of web applications to identify and address similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components, ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly validated and that access controls are appropriately enforced to prevent unauthorized file system access.