CVE-2008-0481 in Rich Text Editor
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in RTE_file_browser.asp in Web Wiz Rich Text Editor 4.0 allows remote attackers to list arbitrary directories, and .txt and .zip files, via a .....\\\ in the sub parameter in a save action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2024
The CVE-2008-0481 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Web Wiz Rich Text Editor version 4.0, specifically affecting the RTE_file_browser.asp component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing directory-related operations. The flaw manifests when the application processes the sub parameter in save actions without sufficient validation of the directory path components, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the file browsing functionality to access arbitrary directories on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper path validation controls in the web application's file handling routines. Attackers can leverage the directory traversal pattern using sequences of dots and backslashes such as .....\\ to bypass intended directory restrictions and enumerate files within directories that should remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. This particular implementation allows attackers to list not only directory contents but specifically target .txt and .zip file extensions, potentially exposing sensitive information stored in these file types. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to map the server's file system structure and identify potentially sensitive files that may contain confidential data, configuration details, or application source code. The ability to enumerate .txt and .zip files specifically increases the attack surface, as these file types often contain credentials, logs, backup files, or other sensitive information that could be exploited for further compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of path traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in security literature since the early days of web application security.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the affected Web Wiz Rich Text Editor version 4.0 to the latest available security updates from the vendor. Input validation controls must be strengthened to reject any path components containing sequences of dots, backslashes, or other potentially malicious path manipulation characters. The implementation of proper access controls and directory restriction mechanisms should be enforced through the application's file handling routines, ensuring that all user-supplied paths are normalized and validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to restrict the web application's file system access to only directories necessary for its operation, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive system directories. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and proper path validation in preventing directory traversal attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information and T1566 for credential access through file system manipulation.