CVE-2016-8207 in Network Advisor
Summary
by MITRE
A Directory Traversal vulnerability in CliMonitorReportServlet in the Brocade Network Advisor versions released prior to and including 14.0.2 could allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files including files with sensitive user information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8207 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the CliMonitorReportServlet component of Brocade Network Advisor software. This security weakness affects all versions released prior to and including 14.0.2, creating a significant risk for network administrators and organizations relying on this network monitoring solution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the servlet's file access mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the directory traversal sequences in the CliMonitorReportServlet. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that bypass normal file access controls and navigate to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem. This flaw specifically affects the servlet's handling of report generation requests, where user input is directly incorporated into file path resolution without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability enables attackers to access not only general system files but also sensitive user information, configuration files, and potentially system credentials that may be stored in accessible locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive information from network monitoring systems that are often deployed in enterprise environments. Organizations using affected Brocade Network Advisor versions face potential exposure of user credentials, network configuration details, and other confidential data that could be leveraged for further attacks within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not be aware of the exposure.
Security practitioners should note that this 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. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of credential access and privilege escalation. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Brocade Network Advisor version 14.0.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. Additional mitigations may include implementing network segmentation, restricting access to the affected servlet, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.