CVE-2011-4715 in koha
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cgi-bin/koha/mainpage.pl in Koha 3.4 before 3.4.7 and 3.6 before 3.6.1, and LibLime Koha 4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the KohaOpacLanguage cookie to cgi-bin/opac/opac-main.pl, related to Output.pm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
This directory traversal vulnerability exists in the Koha library management system and LibLime Koha platforms, affecting versions prior to specific patches. The flaw manifests in the handling of the KohaOpacLanguage cookie parameter within the opac-main.pl script, which processes requests through the cgi-bin directory structure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the cookie value to include directory traversal sequences such as .. followed by forward slashes, allowing them to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability specifically relates to the Output.pm module which handles output rendering and parameter validation, creating a path traversal condition that bypasses normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation of user-supplied cookie values. When the KohaOpacLanguage cookie parameter is processed without proper path validation, the system fails to normalize or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to construct malicious paths that traverse directories upward in the file system hierarchy, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other system files that should remain protected from remote access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that modify cookie values, requiring no special privileges or authentication to initiate the attack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected Koha versions, as it provides remote attackers with unauthorized access to potentially sensitive system information. Successful exploitation could lead to exposure of database connection strings, administrative credentials, system configuration files, and other confidential data stored within the application's file system. This creates a substantial risk for library systems that may contain patron information, catalog data, or other sensitive records. The vulnerability also poses risks to the overall system integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially access system logs, backup files, or other components that might aid in further exploitation or system compromise. Organizations relying on these library management systems face potential data breaches and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the official patches released by the Koha development team, specifically upgrading to versions 3.4.7, 3.6.1, or later for Koha, and version 4.2 or later for LibLime Koha. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization at all entry points, including cookie handling mechanisms, to prevent directory traversal attempts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by detecting and blocking suspicious cookie values containing traversal sequences. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the application codebase, while implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the damage potential from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also monitor for related vulnerabilities in the broader Koha ecosystem and maintain updated security configurations for their web servers and application environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 directory traversal and ATT&CK technique T1213 for data from information repositories, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and access control measures in web applications.