CVE-2011-4518 in PROMOTIC
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the PmWebDir object in the web server in MICROSYS PROMOTIC before 8.1.5 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4518 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the PmWebDir object of MICROSYS PROMOTIC web server components prior to version 8.1.5. This directory traversal vulnerability enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through unspecified attack vectors that exploit improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw resides in how the web server processes file access requests, allowing malicious actors to manipulate path resolution logic and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in industrial control systems where PROMOTIC is commonly deployed, as they can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the PmWebDir object's file access routines. Attackers can construct malicious requests that exploit path traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This weakness aligns with CWE-22, which classifies improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve files that should remain protected, including configuration files, log files, and potentially sensitive operational data. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may be exploitable through multiple entry points within the web server interface, making it particularly challenging to secure completely without comprehensive input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4518 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the system configuration and potentially escalate privileges. In industrial environments where PROMOTIC systems are deployed for process control and monitoring, this vulnerability poses significant risks to operational technology infrastructure. Attackers could exploit this flaw to access system configuration files that might contain credentials, system parameters, or other sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering file and directory permissions, and T1005, which focuses on data from local system storage. The exposure of arbitrary files could lead to complete system compromise, especially if sensitive configuration data is accessible through this vulnerability.
Organizations utilizing MICROSYS PROMOTIC systems should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the vendor-provided security patch available in version 8.1.5 and subsequent releases. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation of all user-supplied data within the web server components, implementation of proper path normalization techniques, and regular security assessments of industrial control system web interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected web server components to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their industrial control system infrastructure, as similar directory traversal vulnerabilities may exist in other proprietary systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.