CVE-2007-0700 in Portail Web Php
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in Guernion Sylvain Portail Web Php (aka Gsylvain35 Portail Web, PwP) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter. NOTE: this issue was later reported for 2.5.1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0700 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Guernion Sylvain Portail Web Php web application, commonly known as Gsylvain35 Portail Web or PwP. This security weakness exists in the index.php file and enables malicious actors to access arbitrary files on the target system through manipulation of the page parameter. The vulnerability specifically leverages the .. (dot dot) sequence that allows attackers to navigate up directory levels and access files outside the intended web root directory. This issue was subsequently confirmed and documented for version 2.5.1.1 of the software, indicating it was not a transient problem but rather a persistent flaw that required remediation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application's parameter handling mechanism. When the page parameter is processed without proper restrictions or filtering, the application fails to validate whether the requested file path contains malicious traversal sequences. This allows an attacker to construct a payload such as page=../../../etc/passwd or similar paths that would normally be restricted from direct access. The flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness as improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness creates a direct pathway for unauthorized file access that can lead to sensitive data exposure, system compromise, or further exploitation opportunities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system files, configuration data, and application source code. An attacker could exploit this weakness to read sensitive files such as database connection credentials, application configuration files, or even system files that could reveal the underlying operating system and software versions. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the information gathered through directory traversal to craft more sophisticated attacks or to identify additional vulnerabilities within the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameter validation that rejects or strips out traversal sequences such as .., %2e%2e, or similar encoded variants before processing user input. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block such patterns, while developers should employ secure coding practices that enforce strict path validation. The application should implement a whitelist approach for file access, where only predetermined, safe file paths are allowed, rather than accepting arbitrary paths from user input. Additionally, the application should run with minimal privileges and implement proper access controls to limit the damage even if traversal attacks succeed. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack.