CVE-2017-16168 in wffserve
Summary
by MITRE
wffserve 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-2017-16168 affects wffserve, a web file serving application that exposes local filesystem directories through HTTP endpoints. This directory traversal flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating URL parameters with directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path sanitization within the application's file handling mechanisms, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries through the use of relative path references such as "../" in the URL structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when wffserve processes user-supplied URLs without properly validating or sanitizing the path components. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing directory traversal sequences, the application fails to properly resolve these paths, allowing access to files outside the designated serving directory. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, user credentials, and other confidential information stored on the server filesystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can provide attackers with comprehensive reconnaissance capabilities and potential escalation paths within the compromised system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to discover system layout, identify sensitive files, access configuration parameters, and potentially execute further attacks through the exposure of system artifacts. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where wffserve operates with elevated privileges or serves directories containing sensitive organizational data. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which describes discovery of file and directory permissions, and T1566, which covers credential access through various attack vectors that may include file system exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16168 should focus on implementing robust input validation and path sanitization measures within the wffserve application. Organizations should immediately patch or upgrade to versions that address this vulnerability, as the flaw represents a known security weakness that has been documented in multiple security databases. Implementing proper URL parameter validation, canonicalizing file paths, and restricting the application's access to specific directories through proper file system permissions are essential defensive measures. Additionally, network segmentation, web application firewalls, and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar path traversal issues in web applications and file serving systems.