CVE-2007-1143 in J-Web Pics Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in pn-menu.php in J-Web Pics Navigator 1.0 allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a .. (dot dot) in the dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1143 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the J-Web Pics Navigator 1.0 web application. This security weakness resides in the pn-menu.php script which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters, specifically the dir parameter that controls directory listing operations. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to manipulate the application's directory navigation functionality by injecting ../ sequences into the dir parameter, allowing them to access arbitrary directories on the web server filesystem.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw occurs because the application does not adequately filter or sanitize input data before using it in file system operations, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to bypass intended access controls and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive files or directories. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the core of the application's file navigation functionality, making it a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited without requiring authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory enumeration, as it can potentially expose sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected. Attackers can leverage this weakness to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended web root directory, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or further exploitation opportunities. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not need physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) tactics, as it enables adversaries to discover and potentially exfiltrate sensitive files from the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1143 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the pn-menu.php script. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input filtering that removes or encodes potentially dangerous sequences such as ../, ..\, or similar traversal patterns before they can be processed by the application. Additionally, the application should implement proper access controls and ensure that all file system operations occur within predefined safe directories, utilizing techniques such as chroot jails or virtual file system implementations. Security patches should be implemented immediately to address this vulnerability, as the J-Web Pics Navigator 1.0 application appears to be an older version that likely lacks modern security hardening practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious traversal patterns in real-time, providing an additional layer of protection against similar attacks targeting directory traversal vulnerabilities in web applications.