CVE-2007-3109 in Office
Summary
by MITRE
The CERN Image Map Dispatcher (htimage.exe) in Microsoft FrontPage allows remote attackers to determine the existence, and possibly partial contents, of arbitrary files under the web root via a relative pathname in the PATH_INFO.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3109 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the CERN Image Map Dispatcher component of Microsoft FrontPage server extensions. This vulnerability specifically affects the htimage.exe executable which processes image map requests and handles PATH_INFO parameters. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and path traversal mechanisms within the image mapping dispatcher, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the system's file access controls through crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter in HTTP requests sent to the affected server. When the htimage.exe dispatcher receives a request containing a relative pathname in the PATH_INFO field, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing file system operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that traverse the directory structure beneath the web root directory, potentially revealing file listings and accessing partial contents of files that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically targets the CERN Image Map Dispatcher implementation within Microsoft FrontPage server extensions, making it distinct from general path traversal issues found in other web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with significant reconnaissance capabilities that can lead to more serious exploitation attempts. By determining the existence of specific files and potentially accessing partial contents, attackers can gather intelligence about the target system's file structure, identify sensitive files, and discover potential attack vectors for further exploitation. This information disclosure can reveal the presence of backup files, configuration files, source code, or other sensitive data that might contain credentials or system information. The vulnerability affects systems running Microsoft FrontPage Server Extensions version 2002 and earlier, making it particularly relevant to legacy web server environments that may not have received proper security updates.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader information disclosure attack patterns and the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance and credential access phases. The vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the affected FrontPage Server Extensions, applying security patches, and implementing proper input validation controls. Network segmentation, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date server components and the risks associated with legacy software that may no longer receive security updates, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both current and historical security issues.