CVE-2006-2633 in ByteHoard
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the copy action in index.php in Andrew Godwin ByteHoard 2.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to create or overwrite files in other users directories by specifying the absolute path of the directory in the infolder parameter and simultaneously specifying the filename in the filepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2633 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the ByteHoard 2.1 web application framework developed by Andrew Godwin. This security weakness specifically affects the copy action functionality implemented in the index.php file, creating a significant risk for unauthorized file manipulation across user directories. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied path parameters, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's file handling capabilities beyond intended boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted combination of two parameters within the copy action functionality. Attackers can manipulate the infolder parameter to specify absolute directory paths while simultaneously using the filepath parameter to define specific filenames. This dual parameter manipulation enables the exploitation of the path traversal vulnerability, allowing authenticated users to bypass normal access controls and potentially create or overwrite files in directories belonging to other users. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the file system interaction mechanisms within the ByteHoard framework, making it particularly dangerous for multi-user environments where file isolation is critical.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to system integrity and user data security. The ability to create or overwrite files in other users' directories enables potential data corruption, unauthorized file deployment, and privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to plant malicious files, modify existing user content, or disrupt normal system operations. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can target other users' directories with significant impact. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, potentially exposing confidential information or system 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 weakness stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient restrictions on file system path manipulation. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers would typically need to first obtain legitimate credentials before exploiting this vulnerability. Organizations implementing ByteHoard 2.1 or similar web applications should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment and implement appropriate compensating controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling functions. The most effective approach involves implementing strict path validation that prevents absolute path specification in user-controlled parameters, ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Organizations should also implement proper access control mechanisms that enforce user isolation, preventing cross-user file manipulation. Additionally, the application should validate all user inputs against a whitelist of allowed characters and paths, and implement proper error handling that does not reveal internal system paths or directory structures. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.