CVE-2007-1144 in J-Web Pics Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in jwpn-photos.php in J-Web Pics Navigator 2.0 allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories via a .. (dot dot) in the dir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1144 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the J-Web Pics Navigator 2.0 web application. This security weakness exists in the jwpn-photos.php script where user input containing directory traversal sequences is not properly validated or sanitized before being processed. The vulnerability specifically manifests when attackers manipulate the dir parameter by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that instruct the application to navigate through the file system hierarchy. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in input validation that allows unauthorized access to file system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious payload through the dir parameter that contains sequences such as ../../../etc/passwd or similar traversal patterns. The application processes these inputs without adequate validation, causing the web server to interpret and execute the traversal commands, thereby allowing access to arbitrary directories on the file system. This flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially retrieve sensitive files, including configuration data, user credentials, or other confidential information stored outside the intended web root directory. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which describes methods adversaries use to gather information about files and directories on a system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to explore the entire file system hierarchy of the affected web server. An attacker could potentially access system configuration files, database files, application source code, or other sensitive data that should remain restricted to authorized users only. The consequences are particularly severe in environments where the web application runs with elevated privileges or where sensitive data is stored in predictable locations. This vulnerability also enables further exploitation opportunities, as attackers might discover additional weaknesses or gain access to authentication credentials stored in configuration files. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the web application and the underlying system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1144 must focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predefined, safe directory paths or properly encoding user inputs to prevent traversal sequences from being interpreted by the file system. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and ensure that the web application runs with minimal required privileges to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can also provide additional layers of protection against directory traversal attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect and respond to suspicious file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.