CVE-2007-0118 in EditTag
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple absolute path traversal vulnerabilities in EditTag 1.2 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an absolute pathname in the file parameter to (1) edittag.cgi, (2) edittag.pl, (3) edittag_mp.cgi, or (4) edittag_mp.pl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0118 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting EditTag 1.2 web applications. This vulnerability manifests across multiple CGI and Perl script interfaces including edittag.cgi, edittag.pl, edittag_mp.cgi, and edittag_mp.pl, creating a widespread attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied file path parameters, allowing malicious users to manipulate the file parameter to access arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Attackers exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include absolute pathnames in the file parameter, bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information stored on the server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a Path Traversal technique within the Credential Access and Defense Evasion tactics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can enable attackers to extract critical system information, access database files, read configuration parameters, and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Remote exploitation requires no authentication credentials, making the attack vector particularly dangerous as it can be executed from any network location. The vulnerability affects web applications that rely on user input to determine file access operations, creating a persistent risk when proper input validation and sanitization measures are not implemented. Organizations running EditTag 1.2 software face significant exposure to data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent absolute path traversal attempts. The recommended approach includes enforcing strict path validation that rejects any input containing absolute path indicators or directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should immediately apply vendor patches or upgrades to EditTag 1.2, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure comprehensive protection against directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities.