CVE-2013-3575 in Insight Diagnostics
Summary
by MITRE
hpdiags/frontend2/help/pageview.php in HP Insight Diagnostics 9.4.0.4710 does not properly restrict PHP include or require statements, which allows remote attackers to include arbitrary hpdiags/frontend2/help/ .html files via the path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3575 resides within HP Insight Diagnostics version 9.4.0.4710, specifically in the file hpdiags/frontend2/help/pageview.php. This issue represents a classic path traversal and remote file inclusion vulnerability that stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of user-supplied parameters. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the path parameter to include arbitrary .html files from the hpdiags/frontend2/help/ directory, effectively bypassing the intended access controls and potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references as defined by CWE-22 and represents a significant security weakness that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly validate or sanitize the path parameter before using it in PHP include or require statements. When an attacker submits a crafted path parameter, the application directly incorporates this input into the include statement without adequate filtering or validation, creating an opportunity for path traversal attacks. This weakness enables attackers to navigate the file system and access files that should otherwise be restricted, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive configuration files, system information, or other confidential data stored within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability specifically targets the help directory, which suggests that the application's documentation or support files may contain sensitive information that could be accessed through this vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3575 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable more severe attacks depending on the system configuration and the files accessible through the vulnerable path. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access system files that contain sensitive data, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation of the target system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering attacks through malicious file inclusion, and T1059 which involves the execution of malicious code through various payloads. The ability to include arbitrary files could allow attackers to inject malicious content or redirect users to phishing sites, particularly if the application serves web content that is accessible to end users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques to prevent path traversal attacks. The most effective approach involves removing or properly escaping user input before it is used in file inclusion operations, implementing whitelisting mechanisms for acceptable file paths, and restricting file access permissions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive directories. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. The remediation process should include updating to the latest version of HP Insight Diagnostics where this vulnerability has been patched, and implementing proper access controls to limit the exposure of sensitive directories. Additionally, security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and log file review to detect potential abuse of this vulnerability.