CVE-2017-16185 in uekw1511server
Summary
by MITRE
uekw1511server is a static file server. uekw1511server 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-2017-16185 affects uekw1511server, a static file server implementation that suffers from a critical directory traversal flaw. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the server's path handling mechanisms, allowing remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem through carefully crafted URL requests. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the server fails to properly sanitize or normalize file paths before processing user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended document root directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. Attackers can leverage the directory traversal technique by inserting "../" sequences into the URL path, effectively moving up the directory hierarchy and gaining access to files that should remain protected within the server's restricted file system. This flaw represents a fundamental security weakness in the server's path resolution logic, where the application does not adequately validate or sanitize the requested file paths before attempting to serve them to clients.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16185 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access sensitive files including configuration files, system credentials, application source code, and potentially system binaries. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors that map to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) when combined with other exploitation methods. The severity of this vulnerability is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that serve static content without proper access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and path sanitization mechanisms within the server's core functionality. Organizations should enforce strict path normalization and validation routines that prevent any occurrence of directory traversal sequences in file requests, while also implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for file system access. The solution aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and should include regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. Additionally, deployment of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks.