CVE-2012-1839 in AjaXplorer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the Get Template feature in plugins/gui.ajax/class.AJXP_ClientDriver.php in AjaXplorer 3.2.x before 3.2.5 and 4.0.x before 4.0.4 allow remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) pluginName or (2) pluginPath parameter in a get_template action. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2012-1839 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in AjaXplorer, a web-based file manager and collaboration platform that was widely used in enterprise environments. This vulnerability specifically affects the Get Template feature within the AJAX Client Driver component, which is responsible for handling template requests in the application's plugin architecture. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization in the pluginName and pluginPath parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in AjaXplorer versions 3.2.x prior to 3.2.5 and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.4, indicating this was a significant security gap that affected multiple major release lines of the software. The directory traversal attack vector allows adversaries to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the pluginName and pluginPath parameters in the get_template action within the class.AJXP_ClientDriver.php file. When attackers craft malicious requests containing .. (dot dot) sequences in these parameters, they can traverse the directory structure and include local files that should normally be restricted. This creates a path traversal condition where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before using it in file system operations. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code on the server by including and executing local files that contain malicious content. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, which involves executing code through file inclusion mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1839 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to access sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the affected server. In enterprise environments where AjaXplorer was deployed for file sharing and collaboration, this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to read system configuration files, access database credentials, or even upload and execute malicious payloads that would persist on the server. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local access or credentials to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Organizations using affected versions of AjaXplorer faced significant risk of unauthorized access to their file systems and potential lateral movement within their networks.
The remediation for CVE-2012-1839 requires immediate patching of affected AjaXplorer installations to versions 3.2.5 or 4.0.4, which contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all parameters that are used in file system operations, ensuring that directory traversal sequences are properly rejected or normalized. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the AjaXplorer application and its administrative interfaces. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as it highlights how simple parameter manipulation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting similar directory traversal vulnerabilities. The fix for this vulnerability aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications.