CVE-2017-16181 in wintiwebdev
Summary
by MITRE
wintiwebdev is a static file server. wintiwebdev 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-2017-16181 affects wintiwebdev, a static file server implementation that serves web content directly from the file system. This particular vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal attack vector that allows remote attackers to access files and directories outside the intended web root through manipulated URL parameters. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user input that contains directory navigation sequences, specifically the "../" pattern commonly used to traverse up directory levels in file systems.
This directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the web server's request handling mechanism. When a user submits a URL containing "../" sequences, the application processes these paths without proper restrictions, allowing access to arbitrary files on the underlying file system. The technical implementation likely lacks proper canonicalization of file paths or employs insecure file access methods that do not adequately verify the intended directory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the entire file system hierarchy where the web server operates. An attacker could potentially access sensitive configuration files, source code repositories, user data, system credentials, or other confidential information stored on the same server. The vulnerability enables a range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and potential privilege escalation depending on the server's permissions and the files accessible through the traversal. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the web server has access to sensitive or restricted data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. The most effective approach involves canonicalizing all file paths and ensuring that user-provided input cannot traverse beyond the intended directory boundaries. Implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage even if traversal occurs. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, and regularly audit their web server configurations to ensure proper security hardening. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and credential access, making it a critical concern for security teams implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in various security frameworks and standards.