CVE-2017-16172 in section2.madisonjbrooks12
Summary
by MITRE
section2.madisonjbrooks12 is a simple web server. section2.madisonjbrooks12 is vulnerable to a directory traversal issue, giving an attacker access to the filesystem by placing "../" in the url.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16172 affects a web server component named section2.madisonjbrooks12 which is susceptible to directory traversal attacks. This represents a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized access to the underlying file system through manipulation of URL parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path handling within the web server's request processing logic, specifically when processing user-supplied file paths that contain directory traversal sequences.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through the exploitation of relative path references using the "../" sequence commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. When an attacker submits a URL containing these sequences, the web server fails to properly sanitize or validate the input, allowing the traversal mechanism to navigate outside the intended document root directory. The flaw essentially permits attackers to access files and directories that should remain restricted, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, or even system binaries. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this flaw to access critical system files including password files, configuration databases, application source code, or even system executables. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the web server runs with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability is classified under the attack pattern known as T1083 in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which specifically addresses directory and file discovery techniques used by adversaries to map the target system's file structure. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to confidential information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should implement strict path validation that rejects or removes any directory traversal sequences from user input before processing. The web server configuration must enforce proper directory restrictions and implement secure coding practices that prevent path traversal attacks. Security measures should include input filtering that blocks or encodes special characters like "../" or "..\" in URL parameters. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation ensures that even if traversal occurs, the attacker cannot access sensitive system resources. Regular security audits and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and input validation as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.