CVE-2006-5714 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Easy File Sharing (EFS) Web Server 4.0, when running on an NTFS file system, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files under the web root by appending "::$DATA" to the end of a HTTP GET request, which accesses the alternate data stream.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5714 affects Easy File Sharing Web Server version 4.0, specifically when operating on NTFS file systems. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the web server's file system. The vulnerability exploits the underlying NTFS file system architecture and its support for alternate data streams, which are not typically accessible through standard file system operations.
The technical mechanism of this exploit relies on the NTFS alternate data stream (ADS) feature, which allows multiple data streams to be associated with a single file. When an attacker appends "::$DATA" to a HTTP GET request, they are directly accessing these alternate data streams rather than the primary file data. This technique bypasses standard file permission checks and access controls that would normally prevent unauthorized file access. The vulnerability specifically targets the web server's handling of file requests, allowing attackers to access files that should remain protected within the web root directory structure.
This flaw creates significant operational impact for systems running the affected web server software, as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive files including configuration data, user credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level rather than through application-level flaws, making it more difficult to detect and mitigate. Attackers can systematically enumerate and extract files from the server without requiring authentication or specific application vulnerabilities, as the access occurs through the NTFS file system's native capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) categories, as it allows attackers to traverse file system boundaries through unconventional means. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving file and directory permissions modification and credential access through file system exploitation. Organizations using Easy File Sharing Web Server 4.0 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of the software, implementing proper network segmentation, and restricting access to the web server through firewall rules. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling alternate data stream access on web server file systems and implementing comprehensive monitoring for unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.