CVE-2014-0820 in Garoon
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the download feature in Cybozu Garoon 2.x through 2.5.4 and 3.x through 3.7 SP3 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The CVE-2014-0820 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Cybozu Garoon collaboration platform, affecting versions ranging from 2.x through 2.5.4 and 3.x through 3.7 SP3. This vulnerability specifically targets the download functionality of the system, which operates as a web-based enterprise collaboration tool used for document management, calendar scheduling, and workflow automation. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the file download component, potentially allowing them to access sensitive files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-22 indicates a weakness in input validation where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the download feature, where the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize file path parameters submitted by authenticated users. When a user attempts to download a file through the vulnerable system, the application processes the requested file path without sufficient validation, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\" to navigate outside the intended file access boundaries. This type of attack leverages the fundamental principle that web applications should enforce strict access controls and validate all input parameters to prevent unauthorized file system access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it requires only authentication, meaning that any legitimate user with access to the system can potentially exploit this flaw to access files they should not be authorized to view, including system configuration files, user data, or administrative resources that may contain sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0820 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can access not only user documents and personal information but may also retrieve system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive materials that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in collaboration platforms like Garoon creates additional risk because these systems often contain confidential business information, employee records, and proprietary data that could be valuable to adversaries. Organizations using affected versions of the software may face significant security implications including regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and potential legal consequences. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in information disclosure, system integrity compromise, and may serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0820 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of proper input validation controls, and enhanced access controls within the application. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of Cybozu Garoon that address the directory traversal vulnerability, as the vendor would have released security updates specifically targeting this weakness. Additionally, implementing proper path validation mechanisms, such as canonicalizing file paths and restricting file access to predefined directories, can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual download patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers may use legitimate credentials to exploit this vulnerability, and the attack vector often involves social engineering to obtain initial access. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and file integrity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive audit logs of file access activities to facilitate incident response and forensic analysis.