CVE-2008-4797 in Kantan WEB Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Arihiro Kurata Kantan WEB Server 1.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The CVE-2008-4797 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Kantan WEB Server version 1.8 and earlier, which exposes systems to remote code execution and data exfiltration threats. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through spearphishing attachments. The flaw allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by exploiting improper input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate validation of file path requests, enabling attackers to manipulate URI parameters to traverse directory structures and access protected files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to move up directory levels and access files outside the intended web root directory. This represents a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and access control enforcement within the web server's file handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user information stored on the server. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract database credentials, application source code, user authentication details, and other confidential information that could lead to further system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to initiate attacks, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web servers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Kantan WEB Server to version 1.9 or later, where the directory traversal protection has been implemented. Organizations should also implement proper input validation mechanisms that filter and sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly URI parameters and file path requests. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to web servers, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications and servers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper access controls as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.