CVE-2010-3306 in Weborf HTTP Server
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the modURL function in instance.c in Weborf before 0.12.3 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ..%2f sequences in a URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3306 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Weborf web server software version 0.12.2 and earlier. This vulnerability exists in the modURL function located within the instance.c source file, specifically affecting how the software processes URI requests containing encoded directory traversal sequences. The flaw enables remote attackers to bypass normal file access restrictions and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's filesystem through carefully crafted URI parameters that include the ..%2f sequence encoding. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and path traversal attacks, which are commonly exploited in web application security breaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-provided URI parameters within the modURL function. When a web server processes a request containing ..%2f sequences, the application fails to properly validate or normalize the input before resolving file paths. The %2f encoding represents the forward slash character in URL encoding standards, allowing attackers to bypass standard path validation mechanisms that typically prevent directory traversal attempts. This weakness creates a direct pathway for unauthorized file access, potentially exposing sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information stored on the web server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access system configuration files, password databases, application source code, and potentially execute arbitrary commands if the web server has sufficient privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions of Weborf prior to 0.12.3, indicating that a significant number of installations may have been exposed to this risk. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability maps directly to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, a well-documented weakness in software security. The attack can be executed through standard web browser requests or automated tools, making it easily exploitable by both skilled attackers and script kiddies. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes discovering files and directories, as attackers can systematically enumerate and access unauthorized resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3306 primarily focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Weborf version 0.12.3 or later, where the directory traversal vulnerability has been patched through proper input sanitization and path normalization. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive input validation at the application level, ensuring that all URI parameters are properly sanitized before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by detecting and blocking suspicious URI patterns containing directory traversal sequences. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation can further limit the damage if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and attempts to access system directories. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for web server processes and regularly audit file access permissions to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.