CVE-2012-1467 in Open Journal Systems
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the iBrowser plugin library, as used in Open Journal Systems before 2.3.7, allow remote authenticated users to (1) delete or (2) rename arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the param parameter to lib/pkp/lib/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/ibrowser/scripts/rfiles.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1467 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the iBrowser plugin library component of Open Journal Systems version 2.3.6 and earlier. This issue stems from insufficient input validation in the parameter handling mechanism of the rfiles.php script located within the TinyMCE plugin directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the param parameter which processes user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated users to manipulate file system operations through maliciously crafted directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the exploitation of the .. (dot dot) sequence within the param parameter, which enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. When the application processes these traversal sequences, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it in file system operations, leading to potential deletion or renaming of arbitrary files within the server's file system. This flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the authenticated user and the application, as the vulnerability requires authentication but does not require elevated privileges beyond standard user access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. An authenticated attacker could leverage this weakness to delete critical application files, rename important system components, or potentially access sensitive data that should remain protected. The vulnerability affects the core file management functionality of Open Journal Systems, which could result in service disruption, data loss, or even complete system compromise depending on the permissions of the affected application. This weakness particularly impacts academic and research institutions that rely on Open Journal Systems for publication management, as it could be exploited to undermine the integrity of their digital publishing infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-77 Path Traversal, both of which classify this issue as a fundamental flaw in input validation and file system access control. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as it requires authenticated access to exploit but enables privilege escalation through file system manipulation. The weakness creates a persistent risk for organizations using vulnerable versions of Open Journal Systems, as it allows for long-term unauthorized access to critical system components. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to Open Journal Systems version 2.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous file system activity that might indicate exploitation attempts.