CVE-2006-4579 in The Address Book
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in users.php in The Address Book 1.04e allows remote attackers to include arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the language parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4579 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within The Address Book 1.04e web application. This security weakness resides in the users.php script where the language parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing file inclusion operations. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's file handling mechanism by injecting directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation, which allows them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the language parameter in the users.php script. When an attacker submits a crafted request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar patterns within the language parameter, the application processes these inputs without adequate input validation or sanitization. This processing flaw allows the attacker to bypass normal file access controls and potentially retrieve sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the server configuration and the application's file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps 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 this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to access critical system files, user credentials stored in configuration files, database connection details, or application source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary file inclusion, which can be exploited to execute malicious code, escalate privileges, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of scripting to execute commands, and T1566.001, which addresses social engineering through spearphishing with links.
Organizations running The Address Book 1.04e or similar vulnerable applications should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach involves implementing strict whitelisting of valid language parameters, removing or disabling directory traversal sequences, and ensuring proper access controls on system files. Additionally, developers should employ secure coding practices such as using absolute paths for file operations, implementing proper error handling, and utilizing secure file inclusion functions that prevent path traversal attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in legacy systems. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to prevent such attacks from reaching vulnerable applications, while also ensuring that all third-party components are regularly updated to address known security vulnerabilities.