CVE-2006-3534 in SHOUTcast Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Nullsoft SHOUTcast DSP before 1.9.6 filters directory traversal sequences before decoding, which allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via encoded dot dot (%2E%2E) sequences in an HTTP GET request for a file path containing "/content".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3534 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Nullsoft SHOUTcast DSP software versions prior to 1.9.6. This vulnerability resides in the software's handling of HTTP GET requests and specifically affects the processing of file path parameters within the content directory. The flaw stems from an inadequate security mechanism that attempts to filter directory traversal sequences but fails to properly decode encoded sequences before applying the filtering logic. This design oversight creates a fundamental security gap that can be exploited by remote attackers to access unauthorized file system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's insufficient input validation mechanism. When processing HTTP GET requests containing file paths, the SHOUTcast DSP software applies directory traversal sequence filtering but only operates on the encoded form of these sequences. The system processes %2E%2E sequences as encoded dots and dots rather than properly decoding them to their actual directory traversal characters. This misconfiguration allows attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass the intended security controls, enabling them to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically targets paths containing the "/content" directory structure, making it particularly dangerous for media streaming environments where sensitive configuration files might be stored.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information and configuration data. Attackers can leverage this flaw to retrieve system files, configuration parameters, and potentially even user credentials that may be stored in accessible locations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly concerning for networked media streaming services. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The attack vector follows the typical pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to understand the file system structure and locate sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate software updates to version 1.9.6 or later, which includes proper decoding of encoded sequences before applying directory traversal filtering. Organizations should also implement additional network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block encoded directory traversal attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of file system permissions to ensure that sensitive files are not accessible through the streaming service. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that all directory traversal sequences are properly decoded and validated before any access controls are applied, preventing attackers from bypassing security measures through encoding techniques. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network services and prevent future exploitation attempts.