CVE-2011-4711 in namazu
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in namazu.cgi in Namazu before 2.0.16 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) lang or (2) result parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4711 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the Namazu search engine software, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.0.16. This issue resides in the namazu.cgi component which serves as the primary web interface for the search functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied parameters from accessing arbitrary file paths within the server's filesystem. Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature enable attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files that should remain protected from remote access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of two specific parameters within the namazu.cgi script: the lang parameter and the result parameter. Attackers can exploit these parameters by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse up the directory hierarchy, allowing them to navigate beyond the intended document root and access files outside the web server's designated directories. This flaw operates at the core level of file system path resolution where the application fails to properly sanitize user input before using it in file access operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')" which is a well-established category of security flaws that have been documented across numerous applications and platforms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations deploying Namazu search engines, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential data. Remote attackers can potentially access configuration files, database credentials, system logs, and other sensitive information that may be stored in accessible locations within the server's file structure. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary file reading without requiring authentication or specific privileges, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the affected parameters, making it relatively easy to implement and potentially scalable across multiple systems.
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 leverage this flaw to gather intelligence about the target system, identify potential attack vectors, and extract sensitive information that could be used for further compromise. The vulnerability also represents a common pattern in web application security where input validation failures lead to unauthorized data access, a principle that appears across various attack techniques in the ATT&CK matrix. Organizations should consider implementing network-level protections and monitoring for suspicious patterns of directory traversal attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 2.0.16 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes to prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures that validate and filter all user-supplied parameters before they are processed by the application. Web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of protection by detecting and blocking suspicious path traversal patterns in HTTP requests. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure proper access controls are in place. The implementation of principle of least privilege and proper file system permissions can further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized file access attempts and maintain audit trails for security incident response activities.