CVE-2006-7110 in Imce Module
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the delete function in IMCE before 1.6, a Drupal module, allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files via ".." sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7110 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the IMCE module for Drupal platforms prior to version 1.6. This issue specifically affects the delete function implementation where inadequate input validation permits malicious actors to exploit file system access controls through carefully crafted path sequences containing double dots. The IMCE module serves as a file management tool within Drupal environments, providing users with the ability to upload, download, and delete files through a web interface. When users authenticate to the system, they are granted specific permissions that should govern their file operations, but this vulnerability bypasses those authorization mechanisms through improper path handling.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a file deletion request containing directory traversal sequences such as ".." or "../" in the file path parameter. The underlying flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the delete function, allowing these traversal sequences to be interpreted by the operating system as requests to navigate up directory levels. This weakness enables attackers to access and delete files outside of the intended upload directories, potentially compromising sensitive system files, configuration data, or other user content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Such flaws typically occur when applications fail to properly validate and sanitize file paths before processing them, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the intended scope of file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it fundamentally undermines the security boundaries established by the Drupal platform's permission system. An authenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to access files that should remain protected within restricted directories, potentially leading to data exposure, system compromise, or service disruption. The implications are particularly severe in multi-user environments where different users have varying levels of access rights, as this vulnerability allows privilege escalation through unauthorized file system access. Attackers could potentially delete critical system files, access configuration databases containing sensitive information, or target other users' uploaded content, depending on the permissions granted to the authenticated account. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as the exploitation may enable attackers to manipulate file systems and potentially execute further malicious activities through compromised file access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-7110 focus primarily on immediate remediation through version updates to IMCE 1.6 or later, which incorporate proper input validation and path sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all Drupal installations receive timely updates, particularly for third-party modules that handle file operations. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict file system permissions for web server processes, ensuring that the web application operates with minimal necessary privileges and cannot access sensitive system directories. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring for suspicious path traversal patterns in file operation requests. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when handling user-supplied data in file system operations. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file deletion patterns and attempts to access restricted directories, as these activities may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of Drupal modules and their implementations should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other file handling functions within the platform's ecosystem.