CVE-2009-1090 in Rapidleech
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in upload.php in Rapidleech rev.36 and earlier allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via directory traversal sequences in the uploaded parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-1090 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Rapidleech file sharing application version 36 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the upload.php script which fails to properly validate user input parameters, specifically the uploaded parameter that handles file uploads. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of file paths and names, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the upload process by inserting directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ into the file path. This flaw creates a pathway for remote attackers to access and execute arbitrary local files on the server, fundamentally compromising the integrity and security of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the common pattern of directory traversal attacks where the application processes user-supplied input without proper validation or sanitization. When an attacker crafts a malicious file name containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these sequences as legitimate path navigation commands rather than treating them as malicious input. This misconfiguration allows the application to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected or restricted. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The attack vector operates through the web interface where the upload.php script receives the malicious parameter, processes it without adequate validation, and subsequently attempts to store or reference the file at an unintended location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it enables full remote code execution capabilities for attackers. By leveraging directory traversal sequences, malicious users can potentially overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into the application, or access sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the web application and underlying system resources. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to the server, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web environments where applications handle file uploads and where proper input validation is not implemented, creating a direct pathway for attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1090 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the upload.php script. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input parameters undergo strict validation before being processed, particularly for file upload operations where path traversal attacks are most prevalent. The implementation of proper file name sanitization techniques, including stripping or encoding special characters such as dots and forward slashes, should be enforced. Additionally, the application should utilize a whitelist approach for acceptable file types and names, rejecting any input that contains suspicious patterns or sequences. Security measures should include setting proper file permissions, implementing secure file storage locations, and ensuring that uploaded files are not directly executable. The remediation process should also involve updating the Rapidleech application to version 37 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should follow ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution to properly assess and mitigate the risk posed by such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input validation controls are essential to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the application stack.