CVE-2007-5706 in Jeebles Directory
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in download.php in Jeebles Directory 2.9.60 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the query string. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The CVE-2007-5706 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw in the Jeebles Directory 2.9.60 web application's download.php script. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw exists in the manner in which the application processes user-supplied input through the query string parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file access requests. When a remote attacker constructs a malicious URL containing an absolute pathname in the query string, the vulnerable application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it to access files on the server's filesystem. This oversight creates a pathway for unauthorized file retrieval, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or other protected resources that should remain inaccessible to unauthenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access critical system components that could aid in further exploitation activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system files such as configuration files, database connection details, or even sensitive application source code that might contain hard-coded credentials or other exploitable information. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser requests without requiring special tools or privileges. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary file reading, meaning that an attacker can potentially access any file on the server's filesystem that the web application process has permission to read. This capability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, where the path traversal could be used to retrieve sensitive files that might be embedded in phishing campaigns or used to gain deeper system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5706 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the download.php script. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation that rejects or removes any absolute path components from user-supplied parameters before they are processed. This can be achieved through the use of allowlists that only permit specific, safe file paths or by implementing proper path normalization that strips out dangerous path components such as double dots or forward slashes. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles, ensuring that the web application process runs with minimal required permissions and cannot access sensitive system files. Additionally, the application should employ proper error handling that does not reveal internal filesystem paths or structure to users, as this information could aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege, both of which are fundamental concepts in secure software development practices and align with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's principles of protecting system resources and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.