CVE-2010-5086 in Bitweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in wiki/rankings.php in Bitweaver 2.7 and 2.8.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the style parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2021
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5086 affects Bitweaver content management systems version 2.7 and 2.8.1, specifically within the wiki/rankings.php component. This flaw represents a classic path traversal attack vector that enables remote adversaries to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the style parameter through directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal file access controls and retrieve sensitive information from the underlying filesystem. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user input through the style parameter without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can append directory traversal sequences such as ".." to navigate upward through the directory structure and access files outside the intended web root or restricted directories. This allows unauthorized access to configuration files, database credentials, source code, and other sensitive system artifacts that should remain protected from external access. The impact is particularly severe because it enables attackers to potentially gain access to critical system information that could facilitate further exploitation or compromise of the entire system.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Bitweaver systems, as it provides a straightforward method for remote attackers to obtain sensitive data without requiring authentication or advanced exploitation techniques. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, and the exploitation requires minimal technical skill to execute successfully. Organizations may experience data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential system compromise when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities and gather information about the target system's configuration and file structure, which can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5086 should include immediate patching of affected Bitweaver installations to the latest available versions that contain proper input validation and sanitization controls. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed as legitimate input. Input filtering should be implemented at multiple levels including application code, web server configuration, and network-level controls. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web applications run with minimal required permissions and that sensitive files are properly protected through access controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers may use such information to craft more targeted attacks or to escalate privileges within the compromised system. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.