CVE-2013-5688 in AjaXplorer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in index.php in AjaXplorer 5.0.2 and earlier allow remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a ../%00 (dot dot backslash encoded null byte) in the file parameter in a (1) download or (2) get_content action, or (3) upload arbitrary files via a ../%00 (dot dot backslash encoded null byte) in the dir parameter in an upload action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The CVE-2013-5688 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in AjaXplorer 5.0.2 and earlier versions that enables authenticated remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. This vulnerability specifically targets the index.php script and exploits improper input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths before processing user-supplied parameters. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the file parameter in download or get_content actions, or the dir parameter in upload actions using the malicious sequence ../%00, which combines directory traversal with null byte encoding to bypass security checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's inadequate filtering of special characters in file path parameters, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. The use of ../%00 encoding technique exploits the way certain web servers and applications handle null bytes in file paths, where the null byte effectively terminates string processing and allows the traversal sequence to be interpreted as a legitimate path navigation. This particular exploitation method combines traditional directory traversal with null byte injection, making it particularly effective against applications that do not properly validate or sanitize input containing such sequences. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering files and directories, as well as T1566 for credential access through exploitation of vulnerable applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to read sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and potentially system files that could contain privileged information. The ability to upload arbitrary files through the same vulnerability creates additional risk for remote code execution or privilege escalation scenarios, depending on the server configuration and file permissions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to confidential data, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need valid credentials to exploit it, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the risk since legitimate users may have access to the application. Organizations using affected versions of AjaXplorer face significant exposure to data breaches and system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have obtained valid user credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5688 require immediate patching of affected AjaXplorer installations to version 5.0.3 or later, which contains fixes for the directory traversal vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that reject or encode special characters in file path parameters, particularly sequences involving ../ and null bytes. The implementation of a robust file access control mechanism that enforces strict path validation and prevents directory traversal attempts should be enforced. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal patterns, and establish comprehensive monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that users have the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for applications to implement defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors including path traversal, file inclusion, and privilege escalation techniques.