CVE-2006-6872 in eNdonesia
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in mod.php in eNdonesia 8.4 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the mod parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-6872 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the eNdonesia 8.4 content management system, specifically affecting the mod.php component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations. The issue manifests when the mod parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. which allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. The flaw operates at the application level and demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental principles of input sanitization and access control.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability constitutes a path traversal attack where the mod parameter is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper validation or normalization. The absence of proper input filtering enables attackers to manipulate the file path resolution process, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources within the web application's directory structure. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 which covers file and directory discovery activities. The vulnerability exists due to the application's failure to implement proper path normalization and validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this directory traversal vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to read arbitrary files from the target system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive information including database configuration files, user credentials stored in configuration files, application source code, and potentially system-level files that could reveal additional attack vectors or facilitate further compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. This vulnerability essentially undermines the application's access control mechanisms and could lead to complete system compromise if sensitive files containing authentication credentials or system configurations are accessible through the traversal mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application code. The most effective approach involves normalizing all user-supplied input by removing or encoding potentially dangerous sequences such as .. or /.. that could be used for directory traversal. Implementing a whitelist-based validation approach where only predetermined, safe module names are accepted would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, the application should enforce proper directory restrictions by ensuring that file operations are confined to designated directories and that absolute paths are used instead of relative paths. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in web application development. The remediation process should include thorough code review to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application and implementation of comprehensive input validation frameworks that can prevent similar issues from occurring in other components.