CVE-2017-16102 in serverhuwenhui
Summary
by MITRE
serverhuwenhui is a simple http server. serverhuwenhui is vulnerable to a directory traversal issue, giving an attacker access to the filesystem by placing "../" in the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16102 affects serverhuwenhui, a simple http server implementation that fails to properly validate file paths in incoming requests. This directory traversal flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server's filesystem by manipulating URL parameters. The vulnerability stems from the server's inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that do not properly filter or resolve directory traversal sequences such as "../" that are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems.
This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal file access controls and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability allows for arbitrary file access without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit the server for data exfiltration or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker could leverage this weakness to access system configuration files, application source code, database files, or even execute commands if the server has sufficient privileges. The attack surface is broad since directory traversal vulnerabilities often affect web applications, file servers, and any system that processes user-supplied file paths. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where serverhuwenhui is deployed as a file sharing or content delivery service, where the exposure of sensitive files could result in significant data breaches or compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based path validation system that only allows access to predetermined, safe directories while rejecting any attempts to traverse up the directory tree. Additionally, the server should normalize all file paths and reject requests containing suspicious sequences such as "../", "..\", or similar patterns that could be used to navigate to unintended directories. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls, network segmentation, and regular security auditing to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of their infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which represents the reconnaissance phase of attacks that leverage path traversal to map out system resources before executing more sophisticated exploitation techniques.