CAPEC-597: Absolute Path Traversal

An adversary with access to file system resources, either directly or via application logic, will use various file absolute paths and navigation mechanisms such as ".." to extend their range of access to inappropriate areas of the file system. The goal of the adversary is to access directories and files that are intended to be restricted from their access.

Not rated

Typical severity

Per MITRE

Not rated

Likelihood of attack

Per MITRE

Related weaknesses

CWEs this targets

Detailed

Abstraction

MITRE classification

Overview

CAPEC-597 (Absolute Path Traversal) is a detailed-level attack pattern catalogued by MITRE in the Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC). It describes a recurring method attackers use to exploit software weaknesses.

How the attack works

The phases an attacker typically follows to carry out this attack.

Step 1
Explore
[Fingerprinting of the operating system] In order to perform a valid path traversal, the adversary needs to know what the underlying OS is so that the proper file seperator is used.
- Port mapping. Identify ports that the system is listening on, and attempt to identify inputs and protocol types on those ports.
- TCP/IP Fingerprinting. The adversary uses various software to make connections or partial connections and observe idiosyncratic responses from the operating system. Using those responses, they attempt to guess the actual operating system.
- Induce errors to find informative error messages
Step 2
Explore
[Survey application] Using manual or automated means, an adversary will survey the target application looking for all areas where user input is taken to specify a file name or path.
- Use a spidering tool to follow and record all links on a web page. Make special note of any links that include parameters in the URL.
- Use a proxy tool to record all links visited during a manual traversal of a web application. Make special note of any links that include parameters in the URL. Manual traversal of this type is frequently necessary to identify forms that are GET method forms rather than POST forms.
- Use a browser to manually explore a website and analyze how it is constructed. Many browser's plug-in are available to facilitate the analysis or automate the URL discovery.
Step 3
Experiment
[Attempt variations on input parameters] Using manual or automated means, an adversary attempts varying absolute file paths on all found user input locations and observes the responses.
- Access common files in root directories such as "/bin", "/boot", "/lib", or "/home"
- Access a specific drive letter or windows volume letter by specifying "C:dirname" for example
- Access a known Windows UNC share by specifying "\\UNC\share\name" for example
Step 4
Exploit
[Access, modify, or execute arbitrary files.] An adversary injects absolute path traversal syntax into identified vulnerable inputs to cause inappropriate reading, writing or execution of files. An adversary could be able to read directories or files which they are normally not allowed to read. The adversary could also access data outside the web document root, or include scripts, source code and other kinds of files from external websites. Once the adversary accesses arbitrary files, they could also modify files. In particular situations, the adversary could also execute arbitrary code or system commands.
- Manipulate file and its path by injecting absolute path sequences (e.g. "/home/file.txt").
- Download files, modify files, or try to execute shell commands (with binary files).

CAPEC-597: Absolute Path Traversal

Overview

How the attack works

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

Skills required

Resources required

Consequences

How to mitigate it

Frequently asked questions

What is CAPEC-597?

How does a Absolute Path Traversal attack work?

How do you prevent CAPEC-597?

What weaknesses does CAPEC-597 target?

References

Defend against CAPEC-597

Overview

How the attack works

What the attacker needs

Prerequisites

Skills required

Resources required

Consequences

How to mitigate it

Related weaknesses

Related attack patterns

Parent

Frequently asked questions

What is CAPEC-597?

How does a Absolute Path Traversal attack work?

How do you prevent CAPEC-597?

What weaknesses does CAPEC-597 target?

References

Defend against CAPEC-597