CVE-2010-3488 in QuickShare
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in QuickShare 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ... (triple dot) in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2021
The CVE-2010-3488 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in QuickShare 1.0 software that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's URL processing mechanism, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied path components that contain triple dot sequences. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the application's file access routines by crafting specially formatted URLs containing directory traversal sequences that bypass normal access controls. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way QuickShare 1.0 processes incoming HTTP requests and maps URL paths to local file system locations. When a user submits a URL containing triple dot sequences, the application fails to properly resolve these path components, allowing the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted. This typically occurs through the exploitation of relative path traversal patterns such as ../../../../../ etc., where the triple dots represent the parent directory navigation mechanism. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local system access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1083, adversaries can use such path traversal vulnerabilities to discover and access sensitive files on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise if attackers can access configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive system resources. The vulnerability enables unauthorized file reading capabilities that can expose application source code, user data, system configuration files, and potentially sensitive authentication tokens or keys. Organizations running QuickShare 1.0 are at risk of data breaches, intellectual property theft, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where the application handles sensitive or regulated data. The vulnerability also provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation, as access to system files often reveals additional attack vectors and system information that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which focuses on data from local system repositories, and represents a fundamental failure in input validation and access control implementation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3488 should include immediate patching of the QuickShare 1.0 application to address the directory traversal flaw, along with implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls or security controls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns in URL requests. The implementation of proper access controls and the principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper path resolution in web applications, as highlighted by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten Project, which consistently ranks path traversal attacks among the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.