CVE-2012-5574 in Symfony
Summary
by MITRE
lib/form/sfForm.class.php in Symfony CMS before 1.4.20 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted upload request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5574 affects the Symfony Content Management System version 1.4.19 and earlier, specifically within the file lib/form/sfForm.class.php. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through manipulated file upload requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file upload operations within the Symfony framework's form processing components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a directory traversal or path traversal flaw in the file upload mechanism. When users submit file uploads through Symfony forms, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the file paths provided in the upload requests. Attackers can manipulate the upload process by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that allow them to navigate beyond the intended upload directories. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability directly enables unauthorized file access and potentially leads to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across various attack scenarios. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability can be exploited to read system files, potentially including password files, SSL certificates, or application logs that contain sensitive information. Additionally, attackers might be able to read or overwrite files within the application's directory structure, leading to potential privilege escalation or data corruption. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability exists in the core form processing functionality, making it accessible through normal user interaction with web forms. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers can discover and access sensitive files through crafted upload requests.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2012-5574 involve immediate application updates to Symfony version 1.4.20 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the file upload validation issues. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize all file upload paths and prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. Security measures should include strict file type validation, mandatory file extension checks, and implementation of secure file storage practices that isolate uploaded files from the application's core directories. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on file handling operations, particularly those involving user-supplied input, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all application components.