CVE-2007-6233 in FTP Admin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in index.php in FTP Admin 0.1.0 allows remote authenticated users to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the page parameter. NOTE: in some environments, this can be leveraged for remote file inclusion by using a UNC share pathname or an ftp, ftps, or ssh2.sftp URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-6233 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the FTP Admin 0.1.0 web application's index.php script. This weakness allows authenticated remote attackers to manipulate the page parameter through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling them to include and execute arbitrary local files on the server. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's file inclusion mechanism, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain unauthorized system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a malicious page parameter containing directory traversal sequences such as ../../etc/passwd or similar paths that would normally be restricted. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in file inclusion operations, allowing the attacker to navigate to arbitrary file locations within the server's filesystem. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability creates a significant security risk as it can be leveraged to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute malicious code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can be weaponized to achieve remote code execution in certain environments. When the application operates in environments where file inclusion functions accept URLs or UNC paths, attackers can exploit this weakness to perform remote file inclusion attacks. This is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to leverage external resources such as UNC shares or URLs using protocols like ftp, ftps, or ssh2.sftp to deliver malicious payloads. The attack surface becomes significantly broader when considering that many web applications may not properly validate or sanitize all input sources, making this vulnerability potentially exploitable even in restricted network environments.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The weakness demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles outlined in secure coding standards. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms, including proper path sanitization, to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where applications should never be granted unnecessary file system access that could be exploited through path traversal attacks. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing strict input validation, using whitelisting approaches for file inclusion parameters, and ensuring that all file operations are performed within restricted directories to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.