CVE-2006-6758 in Http Explorer Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Http explorer 1.02 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) sequence in the URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6758 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Http explorer version 1.02, a web server application designed to serve files over http protocols. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied uri parameters before processing file requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers exploit the .. (dot dot) sequence within the uri path to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access restricted files on the underlying file system. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when Http explorer processes a request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or ../../../windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts. The application fails to validate or sanitize these sequences, allowing the web server to interpret and serve files from arbitrary locations on the file system. This flaw essentially bypasses the intended access controls and allows unauthorized retrieval of sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential user information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web server environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to organizations utilizing Http explorer 1.02 in production environments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access critical system files including password databases, configuration files, application source code, and other sensitive data that may contain credentials, encryption keys, or business-critical information. The potential for data exfiltration increases substantially when combined with other exploitation techniques, as attackers can systematically enumerate directories and identify valuable targets. This vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and principle of least functionality, as it allows unrestricted file access that should be limited to authorized users and processes. The attack surface expands beyond simple file reading to include potential system compromise through the acquisition of sensitive configuration data or the discovery of additional vulnerabilities within the application or underlying operating system.
Organizations affected by CVE-2006-6758 should implement immediate mitigations including patching the Http explorer application to a version that properly validates and sanitizes uri parameters, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and restricting file access through web server configuration. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by detecting and blocking suspicious uri patterns containing directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to credential access and reconnaissance activities. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other web applications and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are implemented across all file access points. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce regressions in application functionality while maintaining the security benefits of proper input validation and path restriction mechanisms.