CVE-2007-1541 in SQL-Ledger
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in am.pl in SQL-Ledger 2.6.27 only checks for the presence of a NULL (%00) character to protect against directory traversal attacks, which allows remote attackers to run arbitrary executables and bypass authentication via a .. (dot dot) sequence in the login parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1541 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in SQL-Ledger version 2.6.27 that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This weakness specifically affects the am.pl script which serves as a critical authentication and access control component within the application. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes user login parameters without proper sanitization of directory traversal sequences, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the input validation approach used by SQL-Ledger. The system only checks for NULL byte characters (%00) in user input but fails to address the more common and effective directory traversal sequences using .. (dot dot) notation. This incomplete validation approach creates a security gap where attackers can bypass authentication mechanisms by crafting malicious login parameters that contain directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication flow, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects the core authentication mechanism of SQL-Ledger, which is a web-based accounting and financial management system used by businesses for critical financial operations. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on SQL-Ledger for financial data management, as successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive financial information and potentially disrupt business operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers spearphishing attachments, as the attack vector involves exploiting a weakness in authentication to gain system access. Organizations using SQL-Ledger 2.6.27 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing proper input validation, and applying web application firewalls to filter out malicious directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of comprehensive input validation that addresses multiple attack vectors rather than relying on single-character checks that can be easily bypassed by attackers.