CVE-2012-0996 in 11in1
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in 11in1 1.2.1 stable 12-31-2011 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the class parameter to (1) index.php or (2) admin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0996 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the 11in1 1.2.1 stable version released on December 31, 2011. This security weakness manifests in two primary attack vectors through the class parameter manipulation in both the main index.php file and the administrative admin/index.php endpoint. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental security flaw in input validation and file access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers manipulate the class parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot) which allows them to navigate outside the intended directory structure. When these malicious sequences are processed by the application, they enable unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation, where user-supplied parameters are directly used in file operations without proper path restriction checks. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited to access sensitive system files, configuration data, database credentials, and other confidential information stored on the server.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0996 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system configuration files, application source code, database connection strings, and other sensitive data that could lead to further exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries systematically explore file systems to identify valuable targets. Furthermore, this weakness can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks such as remote code execution through the exploitation of additional vulnerabilities in the application stack, making it a significant threat to overall system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0996 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates from the vendor to address this vulnerability, as the affected version 11in1 1.2.1 is no longer supported and contains multiple security weaknesses. Implementing proper input filtering that removes or encodes special characters including dots and forward slashes in user-supplied parameters provides the most effective defense. Additionally, application-level restrictions should be enforced to ensure that all file access operations occur within predetermined safe directories, and the principle of least privilege should be applied to limit the application's access to system resources. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious parameter values being passed to vulnerable endpoints.