CVE-2008-0184 in Syshotel On Line System
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in index.php in Sys-Hotel on Line System allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an encoded "/" ("%2F") in the file parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2025
The CVE-2008-0184 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the Sys-Hotel on Line System's index.php component. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of file parameters where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input containing encoded forward slashes. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the file parameter by incorporating %2F sequences which represent the URL-encoded forward slash character, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that permit maliciously crafted paths to bypass normal file access controls and traverse the filesystem hierarchy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing file operations. When the system receives a request containing a file parameter with encoded forward slashes, it processes these sequences without adequate validation, allowing attackers to construct malicious file paths that can access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security weakness in file access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern where encoded characters are used to circumvent input sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information including database credentials, configuration files, application source code, and other confidential data. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain comprehensive knowledge of the system's internal structure, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where the application is accessible over the network. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can use the information gained to craft more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. The system should enforce strict parameter validation that rejects or properly encodes any input containing path traversal sequences, including both literal forward slashes and their URL-encoded equivalents. Implementing a whitelist-based approach for file access operations, where only predefined, safe file paths are permitted, provides the most robust protection against such attacks. Additionally, the application should employ proper file access controls that operate within restricted directories and avoid direct file path manipulation based on user input. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the system and prevent exploitation, while network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers to detect and block malicious requests containing encoded path traversal sequences.