CVE-2006-7133 in Php Upload Tool
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in upload/bin/download.php in Upload Tool for PHP 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via (1) ".." sequences or (2) absolute pathnames in the filename parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2015
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7133 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Upload Tool for PHP version 1.0, specifically affecting the upload/bin/download.php component. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied filename parameters before processing file operations. The vulnerability operates by allowing malicious actors to manipulate the filename parameter through either relative path traversal sequences using double dots ".." or by specifying absolute pathnames directly, thereby bypassing intended security restrictions. Such exploitation enables unauthorized access to sensitive files within the server's file system that should remain protected from public viewing or retrieval.
The technical implementation of this 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. This flaw directly enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access files that may contain sensitive information such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other privileged data. The attack vector operates through the download.php script which likely constructs file paths based on user input without proper sanitization or validation, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary file access. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input filtering and output encoding practices that are essential for preventing such attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system resources and application components. An attacker could exploit this weakness to retrieve configuration files containing database connection strings, application secrets, or other sensitive data that could lead to further compromise of the system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability essentially undermines the security boundaries of the application, allowing unauthorized file access that could facilitate additional attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or even system compromise through the retrieval of sensitive application components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the core issue of inadequate input validation and implement robust sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement proper input validation that filters or rejects any filename parameter containing path traversal sequences such as ".." or absolute path indicators. The implementation should follow secure coding practices that ensure all user-supplied input is validated against a strict whitelist of allowed characters and patterns. Additionally, the application should enforce strict directory boundaries and implement proper access controls that prevent file operations from accessing files outside of designated directories. Security measures should include the implementation of secure file handling practices that utilize absolute paths with proper validation, avoid concatenating user input directly into file paths, and employ proper error handling that does not expose internal system information. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive code review and security testing to identify and address similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, aligning with the principles of secure software development lifecycle practices that prevent such flaws from occurring in the first place.