CVE-2012-5192 in Bitweaver
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in gmap/view_overlay.php in Bitweaver 2.8.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via " %2F" (dot dot encoded slash) sequences in the overlay_type parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5192 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Bitweaver content management system version 2.8.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the gmap/view_overlay.php component which processes user input through the overlay_type parameter. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle encoded directory traversal sequences, creating an avenue for remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way the application processes the overlay_type parameter, which accepts user-supplied input without adequate filtering or validation. When attackers submit malicious input containing encoded slash sequences such as "%2F" which represents the forward slash character, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before using it in file system operations. This allows an attacker to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access files that should remain restricted, potentially including sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using affected Bitweaver installations. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to retrieve sensitive information from the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers may be able to access application configuration files, database connection details, or even execute arbitrary code if combined with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification reflects the core issue where the application fails to properly validate user input before using it in file system operations. Additionally, the vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services, specifically targeting directory traversal flaws that allow attackers to access unauthorized files and potentially escalate privileges within the affected system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of Bitweaver, applying the vendor-supplied security patches, and implementing input validation mechanisms that properly sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while application-level protections should include proper parameter validation, input encoding, and restrictive file access controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the application stack, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in preventing path traversal attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.