CVE-2010-4801 in BaconMap
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in admin/updatelist.php in BaconMap 1.0 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the filepath parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4801 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BaconMap 1.0 web application, specifically affecting the admin/updatelist.php component. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and improper file path handling mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion operations by exploiting the .. (dot dot) sequence in the filepath parameter, enabling unauthorized access to local files on the server. The flaw operates by permitting attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should remain protected from external access.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a classic path traversal attack where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the filepath parameter before using it in file operations. The absence of proper input filtering and validation creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious path sequences that bypass normal access controls. When the application processes the filepath parameter containing .. sequences, it interprets these as parent directory references and allows the inclusion of files from unintended locations within the server's file system. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in input validation and access control implementation, where the application assumes that user-provided input is safe without proper sanitization or verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially enable full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the target system by including and executing local files that contain malicious payloads. The implications include unauthorized data access, system reconnaissance, privilege escalation, and potential complete system takeover. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to access database configuration files, application source code, system logs, or other sensitive information that could be used to further compromise the affected system. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate the deployment of backdoors or persistent access mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive data or serving critical business functions.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file operations. Applications should normalize and validate file paths to ensure they remain within designated directories and reject any input containing .. sequences or similar traversal patterns. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities by limiting the files that can be accessed even if traversal attacks succeed. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, as attackers may use this weakness to escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive system resources. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls, conduct regular security code reviews, and ensure proper patch management to prevent exploitation of such directory traversal vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires thorough code auditing to identify all instances where file operations occur without proper input validation, and implementing secure coding practices that prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.