CVE-2007-3714 in ImgSvr
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Ada Image Server (ImgSvr) 0.6.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the template parameter to the default URI. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information. NOTE: this is probably a different issue than CVE-2004-2464. NOTE: it was later reported that 0.6.21 and earlier is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3714 represents a directory traversal flaw within the Ada Image Server version 0.6.5, a web server application designed to handle image processing tasks. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the server's file system operations. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server processes requests containing a template parameter within the default URI, allowing malicious actors to exploit the lack of proper path validation to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the template parameter using directory traversal sequences such as ".." (dot dot) characters. When an attacker crafts a request containing these sequences within the template parameter, the server fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, enabling it to resolve paths that extend beyond the designated web root directory. This flaw falls under the common weakness classification of CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to access sensitive files that may include configuration data, source code, user credentials, or other confidential information stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the affected system. This capability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential further exploitation within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access not only web application files but potentially system configuration files, database files, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability affects not only version 0.6.5 but also earlier versions including 0.6.21 and potentially other releases in the 0.6.x series, indicating a widespread issue within this product version range.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the latest available patches from the vendor, if available, or implementing input validation measures at the network level through firewalls and web application firewalls. The mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization within the application to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can help limit the damage if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their web applications to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other systems and ensure that all input parameters are properly validated before processing. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which represents techniques that adversaries use to gather information about the file system and directories on a compromised system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it enables reconnaissance activities without requiring additional exploitation steps.