CVE-2006-2658 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the xsp component in mod_mono in Mono/C# web server, as used in SUSE Open-Enterprise-Server 1 and SUSE Linux 9.2 through 10.0, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) sequence in an HTTP request.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2658 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the xsp component of mod_mono, a web server module that enables execution of mono applications on apache servers. This issue specifically affects SUSE Open Enterprise Server 1 and various versions of SUSE Linux 9.2 through 10.0, where the web server component fails to properly validate user input containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability resides in the xsp web server implementation that processes HTTP requests and handles file system operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access unauthorized system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts an HTTP request containing .. (dot dot) sequences that manipulate the file system path resolution mechanism. The xsp component processes these malformed paths without adequate sanitization, allowing the traversal to move beyond the intended web root directory. This flaw enables attackers to navigate the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files that should remain protected, including system configuration files, user data, and potentially system binaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, where insufficient input validation permits attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to read arbitrary files from the system. This access can lead to exposure of sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, and potentially system-level information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Attackers might access web application source code, database connection strings, or other critical system files that contain authentication tokens or other sensitive information. The vulnerability essentially bypasses the normal access controls that should protect the web server's file system boundaries, creating a persistent security risk for any system running affected versions of mod_mono.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of mod_mono and SUSE Linux distributions, as well as implementing proper input validation at the web server level. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to web server components, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous file access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web server configurations. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which involves data from information repositories, and represents a classic example of how inadequate security controls in web application frameworks can lead to complete system compromise. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their web infrastructure.