CVE-2006-3934 in OpenCms
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in downloadTrigger.jsp in Alkacon OpenCms before 6.2.2 allows remote authenticated users to download arbitrary files via an absolute pathname in the filePath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The CVE-2006-3934 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw discovered in Alkacon OpenCms versions prior to 6.2.2. This vulnerability exists within the downloadTrigger.jsp component which processes file download requests through the filePath parameter. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system by providing absolute pathnames in the filePath parameter. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file access based on user permissions or system boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper path validation in the file handling logic of OpenCms's download functionality. When the downloadTrigger.jsp script processes a request containing a filePath parameter, it directly uses the provided path without adequate sanitization or verification against allowed directories. This creates a scenario where authenticated users can manipulate the file path to traverse the file system and access files that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to enforce proper file access controls and demonstrates a classic path traversal weakness that has been consistently identified across numerous web applications and frameworks.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-3934 is significant for organizations running affected OpenCms versions, as it enables authenticated attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, application source code, and other confidential information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to obtain database connection strings, administrative credentials, application logic, and other system artifacts that could lead to further compromise of the affected system. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for privilege escalation attacks, as it allows access to files that may contain sensitive information about the application's internal structure and security mechanisms. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to OpenCms version 6.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized file access attempts. Security configurations should include restricting file access permissions and implementing proper file path validation to ensure that only authorized files can be accessed through the download functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access controls as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.