CVE-2006-3050 in SixCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in detail.php in SixCMS 6.0, and other versions before 6.0.6patch2, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) sequence and trailing null (%00) byte in the template parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3050 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SixCMS 6.0 and earlier versions up to 6.0.6patch2. This security weakness resides in the detail.php script which processes user-supplied template parameters without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly restrict file access operations, allowing malicious actors to navigate through the file system hierarchy using standard directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it combines traditional directory traversal techniques with null byte injection, creating a compound attack vector that can bypass many standard security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the template parameter in the detail.php script. Attackers can construct malicious URLs containing sequences of .. (dot dot) characters followed by null byte encodings to traverse directories and access files outside the intended web root or application boundaries. This combination approach leverages the fact that many older web applications do not properly handle null byte termination in file paths, allowing attackers to effectively truncate file paths and gain access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-3050 is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, user information, and system files that should remain protected. This exposure can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability affects not only the web application itself but can also provide attackers with insights into the underlying system architecture, potentially enabling further exploitation through other attack vectors. Organizations running affected versions of SixCMS face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system infiltration.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level fixes and broader architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file access operations. Applications should normalize and validate all file paths, rejecting any input containing directory traversal sequences or null byte encodings. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if traversal occurs, attackers cannot access files beyond the intended application scope. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which describes discovery of file and directory permissions, and T1566 which covers credential access through various attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in their systems.