DetailedSeverity: MediumCAPEC-127

CAPEC-127: Directory Indexing

Description

An adversary crafts a request to a target that results in the target listing/indexing the content of a directory as output. One common method of triggering directory contents as output is to construct a request containing a path that terminates in a directory name rather than a file name since many applications are configured to provide a list of the directory's contents when such a request is received. An adversary can use this to explore the directory tree on a target as well as learn the names of files. This can often end up revealing test files, backup files, temporary files, hidden files, configuration files, user accounts, script contents, as well as naming conventions, all of which can be used by an attacker to mount additional attacks.

Likelihood of attack: High
Typical severity: Medium
Abstraction: DetailedA low-level, detailed pattern, often for a particular technology.

Mechanism of attack: Collect and Analyze Information

Prerequisites

The target must be misconfigured to return a list of a directory's content when it receives a request that ends in a directory name rather than a file name.
The adversary must be able to control the path that is requested of the target.
The administrator must have failed to properly configure an ACL or has associated an overly permissive ACL with a particular directory.
The server version or patch level must not inherently prevent known directory listing attacks from working.

Skills required

LowTo issue the request to URL without given a specific file name
HighTo bypass the access control of the directory of listings

Consequences

Confidentiality
Read Data
Information Leakage

Mitigations

1. Using blank index.html: putting blank index.html simply prevent directory listings from displaying to site visitors.
2. Preventing with .htaccess in Apache web server: In .htaccess, write Options-indexes.
3. Suppressing error messages: using error 403 Forbidden message exactly like error 404 Not Found message.

Related weaknesses (CWE)

ATT&CK techniques (CAPEC taxonomy mapping)

T1083File and Directory Discovery

Across MITRE's defensive frameworks

Linked through the 1 ATT&CK technique above.

Counter with D3FEND

Defensive techniques MITRE D3FEND maps to the same ATT&CK techniques.

Related attack patterns

Parent

CAPEC-54Query System for InformationStandard

Description

Prerequisites

The target must be misconfigured to return a list of a directory's content when it receives a request that ends in a directory name rather than a file name.

The adversary must be able to control the path that is requested of the target.

The administrator must have failed to properly configure an ACL or has associated an overly permissive ACL with a particular directory.

The server version or patch level must not inherently prevent known directory listing attacks from working.

Mitigations

1. Using blank index.html: putting blank index.html simply prevent directory listings from displaying to site visitors.

2. Preventing with .htaccess in Apache web server: In .htaccess, write Options-indexes.

3. Suppressing error messages: using error 403 Forbidden message exactly like error 404 Not Found message.