CVE-2006-2813 in iShopCart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in easy-scart.cgi in iShopCart allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2813 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the iShopCart shopping cart system's easy-scart.cgi component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied data from accessing files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes query string parameters containing directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, which allow attackers to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy.
From a technical perspective, this directory traversal vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input in the CGI script that processes shopping cart operations. The flaw occurs because the application does not sufficiently validate or sanitize the query string parameters before using them in file operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar traversal patterns, the application interprets these as legitimate file paths rather than malicious input, resulting in unauthorized file access. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the web server hosting the vulnerable iShopCart system. Attackers can potentially read sensitive system files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to leverage this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. This type of vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors, as it provides attackers with information that can be used to plan further exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves removing or encoding special characters such as .. (dot dot) sequences from user input before processing file operations. Implementing proper path validation that ensures all file access operations occur within predefined safe directories can prevent unauthorized traversal. Additionally, the application should employ a whitelist approach for file access, where only explicitly allowed files or directories are permitted for access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and block suspicious traversal attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing), as it enables attackers to discover and access sensitive files that could be used for credential theft or privilege escalation purposes. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review and security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as directory traversal flaws often occur in multiple locations within web applications.