CVE-2012-6495 in MoinMoin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in the (1) twikidraw (action/twikidraw.py) and (2) anywikidraw (action/anywikidraw.py) actions in MoinMoin before 1.9.6 allow remote authenticated users with write permissions to overwrite arbitrary files via unspecified vectors. NOTE: this can be leveraged with CVE-2012-6081 to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6495 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting the MoinMoin wiki software prior to version 1.9.6. This vulnerability specifically impacts two distinct actions within the software's framework: twikidraw and anywikidraw, which are located in the action/twikidraw.py and action/anywikidraw.py files respectively. The flaw enables authenticated users with write permissions to exploit directory traversal mechanisms and overwrite arbitrary files on the system, potentially leading to severe security consequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file handling mechanisms of these specific actions. When users with write privileges interact with the twikidraw or anywikidraw functionality, the software fails to properly validate user-supplied file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate directory traversal sequences that can navigate beyond intended file boundaries. This weakness creates a path traversal condition that can be exploited to access and modify files outside of the designated working directories. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically targets the file system interaction logic, making it particularly dangerous for wiki environments where users may have legitimate write access but should not be able to compromise system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6495 extends beyond simple file overwrites, as it can be leveraged in conjunction with CVE-2012-6081 to achieve arbitrary code execution. This combination represents a significant escalation from a simple directory traversal attack to a full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core integrity of the wiki platform, potentially allowing attackers to modify critical system files, inject malicious code into the application, or even gain shell access to the underlying server. Organizations relying on MoinMoin for collaborative documentation face serious risks including data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential complete system takeover when these vulnerabilities are exploited.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-22 Directory Traversal, which is categorized under the weakness type that involves manipulating file paths to access unauthorized resources. The attack vector aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as exploitation often involves manipulating Python-based file handling mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, particularly in collaborative platforms where user privileges must be carefully managed to prevent privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to MoinMoin version 1.9.6 or later, implementing proper input sanitization, and restricting write permissions where possible to reduce the attack surface.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the patched MoinMoin version 1.9.6 which includes proper input validation and path sanitization measures. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict user permissions to prevent unauthorized write access to critical system files, implement proper file access controls, and conduct thorough security audits of wiki configurations. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive security testing for collaborative platforms and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions to protect against known exploitation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs for forensic analysis.