CVE-2008-6668 in nweb2fax
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in nweb2fax 0.2.7 and earlier allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) id parameter to comm.php and (2) var_filename parameter to viewrq.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6668 affects nweb2fax version 0.2.7 and earlier, presenting multiple directory traversal flaws that enable remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. This issue manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the application's file handling mechanisms, specifically targeting the comm.php and viewrq.php scripts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file path resolution within the web application's core functionality, creating a critical security gap that can be exploited without authentication.
The technical flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into file system operations. In the case of comm.php, the id parameter is processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. Similarly, the var_filename parameter in viewrq.php suffers from the same deficiency, enabling malicious users to manipulate file paths and access files outside the intended directory structure. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, and other confidential information stored on the web server. Remote exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to leverage these flaws, making the attack surface significantly broader. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure, system compromise, and potential further escalation within the network environment. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to compliance requirements, as it could expose sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's restricted file access boundaries.
The attack pattern follows standard directory traversal exploitation techniques where malicious actors craft specially formatted URLs containing sequences like ../../etc/passwd or similar system file paths. These requests bypass normal access controls and allow the web application to return file contents that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) indicates that attackers can use this flaw to enumerate and access files on the target system. Organizations should consider implementing proper input validation, canonicalizing file paths, and restricting file access to only necessary directories as mitigation strategies. Additionally, the use of web application firewalls and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting such path traversal vulnerabilities.