CVE-2010-2786 in Piwik
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Piwik 0.6 through 0.6.3 allows remote attackers to include arbitrary local files and possibly have unspecified other impact via directory traversal sequences in a crafted data-renderer request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2786 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Piwik versions 0.6 through 0.6.3, exposing systems to remote code execution and arbitrary file inclusion attacks. This vulnerability resides in the data-renderer component of the analytics platform, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access sensitive system resources. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected server, making it a significant security risk for organizations relying on Piwik for web analytics and user behavior tracking.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the data-renderer parameter processing. When a malicious request is made with crafted directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the application fails to properly validate or filter these path traversal attempts, allowing the attacker to navigate outside the intended directory structure. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the file inclusion mechanism that processes user requests for data rendering, creating a pathway for attackers to access system files, configuration data, and potentially execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2786 extends beyond simple file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive files including database credentials, configuration files, and system logs that may contain authentication tokens or other critical information. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest potential additional consequences such as privilege escalation, denial of service, or further exploitation opportunities that could allow attackers to establish persistent access to the compromised system. Organizations using vulnerable Piwik versions face significant risks including data breaches, system infiltration, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where web analytics data may contain personally identifiable information or sensitive business metrics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2786 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Piwik installations to version 0.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the directory traversal vulnerability. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and application-level filters that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Piwik services with minimal required permissions and limiting file system access to only necessary directories. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on suspicious requests containing directory traversal patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of remote services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and ensure comprehensive protection against path traversal attacks and related exploitation techniques.