CVE-2009-3898 Path traversal in n/a

Medium 4.9 Published 24 Nov 2009 Updated 7 Aug 2024

Authenticated attackers can exploit a path traversal flaw in nginx WebDAV to create or overwrite arbitrary files, potentially leading to code execution.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Any signed-in user
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: Available

What is CVE-2009-3898?

CVE-2009-3898 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 24 Nov 2009. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

Directory traversal vulnerability in src/http/modules/ngx_http_dav_module.c in nginx (aka Engine X) before 0.7.63, and 0.8.x before 0.8.17, allows remote authenticated users to create or overwrite arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the Destination HTTP header for the WebDAV (1) COPY or (2) MOVE method.

Weakness: CWE-22

Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-3898?

It affects 2 products.

Products include F5 Nginx, Nginx Nginx.

How do I fix CVE-2009-3898?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2009-3898 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2009-3898 exists.

Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry.

Sources

Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2009-3898, GHSA-787j-9hgf-jxj6.