CVE-2018-25365 in PCViewer
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2026
PCViewer vt1000 contains a directory traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by submitting relative path sequences in GET requests. Attackers can use path traversal sequences ../../../../../../../../../../../../etc/passwd to access sensitive system files outside the intended directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
The PCViewer vt1000 system presents a critical directory traversal vulnerability that fundamentally undermines its security posture and exposes sensitive system resources to unauthorized access. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, specifically in how it processes GET requests containing relative path sequences. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file access paths through simple URL parameter manipulation, bypassing intended directory boundaries and gaining access to files outside the application's designated data directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal attacks, where insufficient validation of user-supplied input enables malicious path manipulation. When an attacker submits a request containing sequences such as ../../../../../../../../../etc/passwd, the system fails to properly sanitize or canonicalize the path before accessing the file system. This allows the attacker to traverse up the directory tree multiple times and access critical system files that should remain protected from external access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for reconnaissance and privilege escalation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can lead to comprehensive system compromise and data exfiltration. Successful exploitation can reveal system configuration files, user credentials stored in password files, application configuration data, and potentially sensitive business information. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the PCViewer vt1000 system, as it allows attackers to bypass access controls and directly interact with the underlying file system. This exposure can enable further attacks including privilege escalation, system enumeration, and potentially complete system compromise depending on the system's configuration and file permissions.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal sequences from being processed. The system must canonicalize all file paths and reject any requests containing directory traversal patterns such as .. or %2e%2e. Organizations should implement proper access controls and file system permissions to limit what files can be accessed even if the vulnerability is present. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and implement proper logging to detect and respond to suspicious file access patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues across all system components. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices and address the underlying architectural flaws that permit such path manipulation attacks to succeed.