CVE-2013-7174 in QTS
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in cgi-bin/jc.cgi in QNAP QTS before 4.1.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the f parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2024
The CVE-2013-7174 vulnerability represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw discovered in the QNAP QTS operating system version 4.1.0 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the cgi-bin/jc.cgi script which is part of QNAP's web-based management interface. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the f parameter processing mechanism, allowing remote attackers to manipulate file access requests by providing full pathnames directly to the file system. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Path Traversal attacks, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper sanitization in the jc.cgi script's parameter handling. When an attacker submits a malicious value in the f parameter that contains absolute path references, the script fails to validate or sanitize this input before using it in file system operations. This creates an opportunity for attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary file reading, meaning attackers can potentially access configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data stored on the device. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it especially severe for network-attached storage devices that are often exposed to external networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7174 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. QNAP devices running affected versions become vulnerable to attackers who can extract critical system information, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further exploitation. The vulnerability affects devices that use the QTS operating system, which is commonly deployed in enterprise and home network environments where sensitive data is stored. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to stored files, user data, and system configurations that may contain passwords or other authentication credentials. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on QNAP devices for data storage and management, particularly when these devices are not properly secured or updated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7174 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters. Organizations should prioritize updating their QNAP devices to QTS version 4.1.0 or later, which includes patches addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to QNAP devices and ensure that these systems are not directly exposed to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include restricting access to the cgi-bin directory through web server configuration, implementing proper file access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use information gathered through this vulnerability to craft more sophisticated attacks. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other systems.