CVE-2007-2252 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in iconspopup.php in Exponent CMS 0.96.6 Alpha and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a .. (dot dot) in the icodir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2252 represents a classic directory traversal flaw within the Exponent CMS 0.96.6 Alpha and earlier versions, specifically affecting the iconspopup.php script. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied directory paths. The vulnerability manifests when the icodir parameter contains directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) characters, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access restricted files on the server filesystem.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the application's failure to validate and sanitize the icodir parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and other confidential information stored outside the web root directory. The vulnerability exists due to the application's direct use of user-provided input without proper sanitization or path validation before processing file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to retrieve sensitive information from the server without authentication. An attacker can leverage this weakness to access system configuration files, database connection details, application source code, and potentially other sensitive data that should remain restricted. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can be exploited to gain deeper insights into the application's architecture and potentially identify additional attack vectors. This type of information disclosure can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and system compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 - File and Directory Discovery tactic, where adversaries seek to identify files and directories on compromised systems. Organizations running affected Exponent CMS versions face a heightened risk of data breaches and system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper access controls and path validation mechanisms. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing strict input validation, sanitizing user-provided parameters, and ensuring that file operations are confined to predetermined safe directories.
To mitigate this vulnerability, system administrators should immediately upgrade to Exponent CMS versions that have addressed this directory traversal issue. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of the icodir parameter, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are rejected or properly handled. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls, restricting file system permissions, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in preventing path traversal attacks and maintaining application security boundaries.