CVE-2012-6080 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the _do_attachment_move function in the AttachFile action (action/AttachFile.py) in MoinMoin 1.9.3 through 1.9.5 allows remote attackers to overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a file name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2021
The CVE-2012-6080 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the MoinMoin wiki software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 1.9.3 through 1.9.5. This vulnerability resides in the _do_attachment_move function within the AttachFile.py action file, which handles file attachment operations within the wiki platform. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of file names, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate file system operations through specially crafted filenames containing directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper path validation mechanisms in the attachment handling process. When users upload or move attachments, the system fails to adequately sanitize filenames that contain .. (dot dot) sequences, allowing attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This weakness enables adversaries to target files outside the designated attachment storage area, potentially overwriting critical system files or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, bypassing traditional access controls and authentication mechanisms that should protect against such operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on MoinMoin for collaborative documentation and knowledge management. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite critical system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to perform malicious file operations. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where wiki systems are publicly accessible or where users have the ability to upload attachments.
The security implications extend beyond simple file overwrites, as this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal attacks and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation. Attackers can chain this vulnerability with other exploits to escalate privileges, gain persistent access, or establish backdoors within the system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a file system manipulation technique, where adversaries seek to modify or delete files to achieve their objectives. Organizations using affected MoinMoin versions face potential data loss, system integrity compromise, and possible regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the overwritten files.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.9.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for all file operations, including restricting attachment uploads to specific file types and implementing strict naming conventions. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of wiki systems to untrusted users. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should verify that all file handling operations properly validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.