CVE-2006-3182 in Mobile Space Community
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in MobeScripts Mobile Space Community 2.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the uid parameter in the rss page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3182 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the MobeScripts Mobile Space Community 2.0 web application. This security weakness exists in the index.php script specifically when processing requests through the rss page functionality. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the uid parameter by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling them to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and path manipulation, which are commonly classified as CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of proper input sanitization and file access controls within the application's file handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input through the uid parameter in the rss page context. When a remote attacker submits a request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the web application processes these inputs without adequate restrictions, allowing the attacker to move up the directory hierarchy and access files outside the intended web root directory. This flaw essentially bypasses the application's normal file access controls and can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the filesystem level, allowing attackers to read files that should normally be protected from web access. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which describes methods used by adversaries to gather information about the file system structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain access to sensitive data, configuration files, or even potentially execute code if the application's file reading capabilities are combined with other vulnerabilities. Attackers could potentially read database configuration files, application source code, system user files, or other sensitive artifacts that may contain credentials or other exploitable information. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as unauthorized file access represents a significant breach of the application's security model. Organizations running this version of MobeScripts Mobile Space Community 2.0 would be at risk of data leakage and potential system compromise. The impact is particularly severe given that this vulnerability affects a community platform that may contain user data, potentially exposing personal information or system credentials. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it a high-severity threat that can be exploited by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3182 involve implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's file handling processes. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to a newer version of the MobeScripts Mobile Space Community platform that addresses this vulnerability. Input validation should include strict filtering of special characters such as .. and other directory traversal sequences, with proper whitelisting of allowed input values. The application should implement proper access controls that restrict file access to predefined directories and prevent navigation outside the intended file system boundaries. Additionally, developers should employ secure coding practices that include using parameterized queries, implementing proper file access controls, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is validated before being processed. Security measures such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The remediation efforts should also include comprehensive security testing, including penetration testing and code reviews, to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content or file operations.