CVE-2006-7159 in BTI-Tracker
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in include/prune_torrents.php in BTI-Tracker 1.3.2 (aka btitracker) allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via ".." sequences in the TORRENTSDIR parameter in a prune action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2018
The CVE-2006-7159 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BTI-Tracker 1.3.2 web application, specifically affecting the include/prune_torrents.php component. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly the TORRENTSDIR parameter that controls the directory path for torrent file operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file system access by injecting directory traversal sequences using the ".." notation, effectively bypassing intended security boundaries and gaining unauthorized access to the underlying file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper path validation mechanisms within the prune_torrents.php script. When processing user input for the TORRENTSDIR parameter, the application fails to sanitize or validate the input against a whitelist of acceptable paths, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied directory paths into file system operations without proper normalization or validation, creating a path traversal condition that can be exploited to access arbitrary files on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized file deletion operations across the entire file system. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to delete critical system files, configuration data, or user content, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from any network location. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-22, which classifies directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities, and represents a significant risk to web application security.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control mechanisms within web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a path traversal technique under the privilege escalation and persistence domains, as attackers can use it to modify or delete system files that may contain sensitive information or critical application components. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper secure coding practices including input sanitization, path normalization, and the principle of least privilege when handling file system operations. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all user-supplied parameters and avoid direct path concatenation without proper security checks. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security audits and code reviews to identify and remediate similar path traversal issues in legacy applications.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected BTI-Tracker 1.3.2 application to implement proper input validation and sanitization of the TORRENTSDIR parameter. Security measures should include implementing a whitelist-based validation system that restricts directory access to predefined safe paths, normalizing all user input to prevent directory traversal sequences, and implementing proper access controls that limit the application's file system permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other legacy applications and establish secure coding guidelines to prevent future occurrences of such vulnerabilities.