Source: cve@mitre.org
Directory traversal vulnerability in Ipswitch WhatsUp Small Business 2004 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via ".." (dot dot) sequences in a request to the Report service (TCP 8022).
Ipswitch WhatsUp Small Business 2004 is vulnerable to a critical directory traversal attack, allowing attackers to remotely read sensitive files on the server. Exploiting this vulnerability grants unauthorized access to confidential information, potentially leading to data breaches and system compromise. This flaw resides in the Report service accessible over TCP port 8022.
Step 1: Target Identification: The attacker identifies a vulnerable Ipswitch WhatsUp Small Business 2004 installation, typically by port scanning for TCP port 8022.
Step 2: Payload Delivery: The attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request targeting the Report service on port 8022. This request includes a URL containing ".." sequences to traverse the directory structure.
Step 3: Request Processing: The vulnerable Report service receives the malicious HTTP request.
Step 4: Path Manipulation: The service, lacking proper input validation, processes the request and concatenates the attacker-supplied path (containing "..") with the base directory.
Step 5: File Access: The service attempts to access the file specified by the manipulated path, which now points to a location outside the intended directory.
Step 6: Data Exfiltration: The service reads the contents of the requested file and returns it to the attacker, enabling data exfiltration.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the Report service's handling of file requests. Specifically, the service fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input containing ".." (dot-dot) sequences. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that navigates outside the intended directory, accessing arbitrary files on the server's file system. The root cause is a lack of proper path normalization and input validation before accessing files, leading to a directory traversal vulnerability. The service likely concatenates user-supplied input directly into a file path without checking for malicious sequences.
While no specific APTs are definitively linked to this specific CVE, the nature of the vulnerability makes it attractive to a wide range of attackers. It is likely used by opportunistic attackers and could be incorporated into more sophisticated attacks. CISA KEV status: Not Listed.
Network traffic analysis: Examine network traffic for HTTP requests to port 8022 containing ".." sequences in the URL.
Web server logs: Analyze web server logs for suspicious requests to the Report service, specifically those with directory traversal attempts.
File system monitoring: Monitor file system access for unusual activity, such as access to sensitive files by the Report service process.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) signatures: Implement IDS rules to detect directory traversal attempts targeting the Report service.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Monitor for suspicious process activity related to the Report service, such as attempts to read sensitive files.
Upgrade to a patched version of Ipswitch WhatsUp Small Business that addresses the vulnerability. Since the product is likely end-of-life, consider migrating to a supported network monitoring solution.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious requests, including those with directory traversal attempts.
Restrict access to the Report service to only authorized users and networks.
Apply the principle of least privilege to the account running the Report service.
Regularly audit system logs for suspicious activity.
Implement strong input validation and output encoding to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.