CVE-2006-6814 in Hosting Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in FolderManager/FolderManager.aspx in Hosting Controller 7c allows remote authenticated users to read and modify arbitrary files, and list arbitrary directories via ..\ (dot dot backslash) sequences in the BrowsePath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6814 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the FolderManager component of Hosting Controller 7c software. This security weakness resides in the FolderManager.aspx web page which processes user input through the BrowsePath parameter without adequate validation or sanitization. The vulnerability specifically exploits the improper handling of backslash sequences, allowing attackers to manipulate file system access through ..\ (dot dot backslash) constructs that should be restricted. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which defines the weakness as the improper restriction of pathname traversal sequences, often referred to as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and perform unauthorized operations on the underlying file system. Attackers can leverage the ..\ sequences to navigate upward in the directory structure and access files that should be restricted to authorized users only. This includes reading sensitive configuration files, source code repositories, database files, and other confidential data that may be stored on the same server. Additionally, the vulnerability permits modification of arbitrary files, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code, alter system configurations, or corrupt critical data. The ability to list arbitrary directories further amplifies the threat by providing attackers with comprehensive reconnaissance capabilities to map the target system's file structure and identify valuable targets for subsequent exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the hosting environment. Organizations using Hosting Controller 7c become vulnerable to complete system compromise when attackers leverage this flaw, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to customer data. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of file management within the hosting platform, undermining the security model that should protect against unauthorized file system access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can discover sensitive files and potentially use this information to escalate privileges or gain additional access to the system. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers need valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, but once exploited, the impact can be devastating as the attacker gains access to the full file system of the hosting server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-6814 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the FolderManager component. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied input is rigorously validated and that directory traversal sequences are explicitly blocked or properly encoded. The implementation of a whitelist approach for valid directory paths, combined with proper access controls and authentication checks, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. System administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring of file system access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the hosting controller software should be updated to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the original software version appears to be outdated and likely contains other unpatched security flaws. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls can also help limit the potential damage if exploitation occurs, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the hosting infrastructure.