CVE-2006-4218 in Zen Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Zen Cart 1.3.0.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and possibly execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the typefilter parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4218 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Zen Cart versions 1.3.0.2 and earlier, exposing web applications to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file inclusion operations. The specific parameter affected is typefilter, which when manipulated with directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, enables attackers to bypass normal file access controls and access arbitrary local files on the server filesystem.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates by exploiting the lack of proper path validation in the application's file handling routines. When Zen Cart processes the typefilter parameter, it directly incorporates user input into file inclusion operations without sufficient sanitization or validation. This allows malicious actors to craft requests containing directory traversal sequences that navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries, potentially accessing sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or system files that should remain protected from web-based access. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4218 extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server by including and executing malicious files, particularly if the application runs with elevated privileges or if sensitive configuration files contain executable code. The attack surface is significant as Zen Cart was widely deployed e-commerce platforms, making numerous web servers vulnerable to exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of credential dumping and file system access to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Zen Cart installations to versions that properly validate and sanitize user input. System administrators should implement input validation controls that filter out directory traversal sequences and enforce strict path restrictions during file operations. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious traversal patterns, restricting file inclusion capabilities to predefined safe directories, and ensuring proper file permissions that limit access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices, particularly in validating all user-supplied input and implementing proper access controls for file operations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement robust input validation frameworks that align with industry standards such as those recommended by the Open Web Application Security Project OWASP.