CVE-2014-5115 in DirPHP
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in DirPHP 1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the phpfile parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5115 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within DirPHP version 1.0, a web-based file management application designed to provide directory listing and file browsing capabilities through a web interface. This weakness arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data, specifically when processing the phpfile parameter in the index.php script. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Attackers can exploit this flaw by supplying a full absolute pathname in the phpfile parameter, bypassing normal access controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when DirPHP fails to properly validate or sanitize the phpfile parameter before using it in file system operations. When a remote attacker submits a malicious payload containing an absolute path such as /etc/passwd or /windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts, the application processes this input without adequate filtering, allowing the system to attempt to read or display the contents of these files. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into file system calls without proper path validation or canonicalization. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it enables attackers to access not only web application files but potentially system-level files that should remain protected from unauthorized access, creating a significant risk of information disclosure and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5115 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive system resources that may contain credentials, configuration files, or other confidential data. This vulnerability can be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within a network environment. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where DirPHP is deployed without proper security hardening. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can use this weakness to discover and exfiltrate sensitive information from compromised systems. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the application does not properly restrict file access based on user permissions or security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5115 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures within the DirPHP application. The most effective approach involves implementing proper parameter validation that rejects or normalizes absolute path inputs, ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. This can be achieved through the use of whitelisting mechanisms that only allow specific file paths or by implementing proper path canonicalization that resolves user-supplied paths to safe locations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards, particularly in preventing improper input validation and ensuring proper access controls. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, as path traversal flaws remain a prevalent category of security issues in web-based systems. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date software versions and applying security patches promptly is crucial, as this vulnerability was present in DirPHP 1.0 and likely resolved in subsequent releases through proper input validation implementations.