CVE-2012-1050 in Mathopd
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Mathopd 1.4.x and 1.5.x before 1.5p7, when configured with the * construct for mass virtual hosting, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted Host header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1050 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Mathopd versions 1.4.x and 1.5.x prior to 1.5p7. This issue specifically manifests when the service is configured with the asterisk (*) construct for mass virtual hosting, creating a significant security gap that remote attackers can exploit to access arbitrary files on the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the Host header parameter, which is commonly used in HTTP requests to specify the domain name or IP address of the server being requested. When Mathopd processes these requests through its mass virtual hosting configuration, it fails to properly sanitize the Host header content, allowing maliciously crafted sequences to bypass normal file access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the Host header field in HTTP requests. Attackers can craft specific sequences that, when processed by the vulnerable Mathopd service, cause the application to traverse directories beyond its intended scope. This typically involves using sequences such as "../" or similar path traversal patterns that are commonly recognized in directory traversal attacks. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the HTTP request processing logic where the Host header is interpreted and used to determine which virtual host configuration to apply. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core configuration mechanism of mass virtual hosting, which is designed to handle multiple domains or services from a single server instance. This configuration pattern is common in web hosting environments where a single server manages multiple websites or services, making the impact of this vulnerability potentially widespread.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1050 extends beyond simple file access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can potentially access sensitive configuration files, authentication credentials, system logs, and other critical data that may be stored on the server. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are outside the intended scope, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, and further attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it affects a service that is commonly used in production environments for managing email servers and other network services. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment), as attackers can use this weakness to discover system files and potentially escalate privileges through sensitive data access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1050 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected Mathopd versions to 1.5p7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable service, particularly when it is exposed to untrusted networks. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened at the application level to ensure that all Host header values are properly validated before being processed. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect anomalous Host header patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for security testing of configuration options that handle user-supplied data. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in their infrastructure and ensure that all services are properly patched and maintained to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.