CVE-2011-0497 in WorkSpace
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Sybase EAServer 6.x before 6.3 ESD#2, as used in Appeon, Replication Server Messaging Edition (RSME), and WorkSpace, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via "../\" (dot dot forward-slash backslash) sequences in a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0497 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Sybase EAServer 6.x versions prior to 6.3 ESD#2. This vulnerability manifests within multiple Sybase products including Appeon, Replication Server Messaging Edition, and WorkSpace, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these enterprise applications. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data containing directory traversal sequences, specifically the "../\" pattern that allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the server's failure to properly validate and sanitize file path inputs received through network requests. When a malicious user crafts a request containing the "../\" sequence followed by a backslash character, the server processes this input without sufficient validation, allowing the attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended web root or application directory. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to access sensitive system files, configuration data, application source code, and potentially database files that should remain protected from external access.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access arbitrary files on the server system. This could include sensitive configuration files containing database credentials, application passwords, or other critical system information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where these servers are exposed to untrusted networks. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests containing the directory traversal sequences, which are then processed by the vulnerable EAServer components without proper sanitization.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities. Attackers can use this vulnerability as an initial access point to gather intelligence about the target system, potentially identifying other vulnerabilities or access points within the network. The vulnerability also supports privilege escalation scenarios when attackers can access system files containing sensitive information or when they can manipulate application behavior through file access. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also ensuring that all systems running affected versions of Sybase EAServer are properly patched and updated to the latest ESD releases that address this specific directory traversal vulnerability.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by upgrading to Sybase EAServer 6.3 ESD#2 or later versions that contain the necessary security patches. Additionally, implementing proper input validation controls, restricting file access permissions, and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious directory traversal patterns in network traffic, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential path traversal vulnerabilities within the enterprise application landscape. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in enterprise application servers.