CVE-2017-16150 in wanggoujing123
Summary
by MITRE
wanggoujing123 is a simple webserver. wanggoujing123 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 • 02/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16150 affects wanggoujing123, a simple webserver implementation that suffers from a critical directory traversal flaw. This weakness allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server's filesystem by manipulating URL parameters through the strategic insertion of "../" sequences. The vulnerability represents a classic path traversal attack vector that exploits insufficient input validation and inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the webserver's request handling mechanism. Directory traversal vulnerabilities occur when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access restricted system resources. This particular implementation lacks proper path normalization and validation, making it susceptible to exploitation through crafted URLs that attempt to ascend directory levels using relative path references.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to the underlying filesystem. When an attacker submits a URL containing "../" sequences, the webserver processes these path traversal attempts without adequate validation, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files, configuration data, application source code, or other privileged resources. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various means including direct URL manipulation, web application firewalls bypass techniques, or through automated scanning tools. This type of flaw typically maps to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and access control mechanisms within the webserver's architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and data confidentiality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information such as database credentials, application configuration files, user data, or even system binaries that could facilitate further exploitation. The impact is particularly severe given that wanggoujing123 is described as a simple webserver, suggesting it may not have robust security controls or monitoring mechanisms in place. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, conduct reconnaissance, or establish persistent access to the compromised system. It also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks including remote code execution if the webserver has sufficient privileges to execute system commands or if sensitive files contain executable code. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering files and directories, and can contribute to broader attack chains involving privilege escalation and lateral movement.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16150 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the webserver's request processing pipeline. The most critical remediation involves implementing strict path validation that rejects or normalizes any input containing directory traversal sequences such as "../", "..\", or similar patterns. Security controls should include absolute path validation, canonicalization of file paths, and enforcement of access controls that prevent traversal beyond designated directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, input filtering mechanisms, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, the webserver should be configured with minimal privileges and restricted file access permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure the webserver remains protected against known vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should align with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple layers of protection to address the root cause of the vulnerability while preventing similar issues from emerging in other components of the system architecture.