CVE-2008-0252 in CherryPy
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the _get_file_path function in (1) lib/sessions.py in CherryPy 3.0.x up to 3.0.2, (2) filter/sessionfilter.py in CherryPy 2.1, and (3) filter/sessionfilter.py in CherryPy 2.x allows remote attackers to create or delete arbitrary files, and possibly read and write portions of arbitrary files, via a crafted session id in a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0252 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting multiple versions of the CherryPy web application framework. This security weakness resides within the session management components of the framework, specifically in the _get_file_path function implementation across different CherryPy versions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of session identifiers passed through HTTP cookies, creating an exploitable path manipulation condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the file system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of session identifiers stored in cookies, where attackers can craft malicious session IDs containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file path validation. When the vulnerable CherryPy applications process these crafted session identifiers, the _get_file_path function fails to properly sanitize the input, allowing the traversal paths to be interpreted literally within the file system operations. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the file system by creating, deleting, or accessing files outside of the intended application directories, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exposure.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0252 extends beyond simple file system manipulation to encompass broader security implications including potential privilege escalation, data theft, and system integrity compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access application source code, manipulate session data, or even execute arbitrary code if the application has sufficient privileges. The vulnerability affects multiple CherryPy versions including 2.1, 2.x, and 3.0.x up to 3.0.2, indicating a widespread issue within the framework that could impact numerous deployed applications. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22 Directory Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can potentially execute commands through file system manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected CherryPy versions to address the input validation shortcomings in session handling components. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures including strict validation of session identifiers and normalization of file paths before processing. Additionally, applications should be configured with minimal required privileges and proper file system access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure session management practices and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all user-supplied data, particularly in web applications that handle session identifiers. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious cookie content patterns and file system access anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts.