CVE-2017-16140 in lab6.brit95
Summary
by MITRE
lab6.brit95 is a file server. lab6.brit95 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-2017-16140 affects lab6.brit95, a file server system that suffers from a critical directory traversal flaw. This security weakness allows unauthorized attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem by manipulating URL parameters through the strategic insertion of ../ sequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file path references within the server's request processing mechanism, creating a path traversal attack vector that can be exploited to bypass normal access controls.
This directory traversal vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the server's security architecture and aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The issue enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended file serving directory and access sensitive system files, configuration data, or user information that should remain protected. The exploitation technique relies on the server's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before using it in file system operations, allowing malicious path manipulation to occur.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to the server's file system. An attacker could potentially retrieve system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, user data, or other sensitive information stored on the server. This access could lead to further compromise of the system through privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the file server's contents, making it a critical security concern for any organization relying on the system.
Mitigation strategies for this directory traversal vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization measures. The server should enforce strict path validation to prevent any occurrence of ../ sequences or similar path manipulation attempts in file requests. Security controls should include implementing proper access controls, using secure coding practices that validate and sanitize all user inputs, and employing a whitelist approach for file access rather than allowing arbitrary path resolution. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls, input filtering mechanisms, and regular security testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into the system architecture. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses legitimate credentials and T1566 which covers credential access through various attack vectors including path traversal exploits.