CVE-2014-100029 in Ganesha Digital Library
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in class/session.php in Ganesha Digital Library (GDL) 4.2 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) newlang or (2) newtheme parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-100029 affects Ganesha Digital Library version 4.2 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the class/session.php component. This issue enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating specific parameters in the application's request handling mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets two parameters named newlang and newtheme which are processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to navigate the file system beyond intended boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of dot-dot-slash sequences in the affected parameters. When the application processes these parameters without proper validation, it fails to sanitize user input before using it in file operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input filtering and path validation mechanisms that should normally prevent directory traversal attacks. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive files that may contain configuration data, user credentials, application source code, or other confidential information. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into the application's architecture, potentially identifying additional attack vectors or sensitive data that could be exploited further. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through directory listing and file enumeration activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the affected application components. The class/session.php file must be updated to properly validate and sanitize all input parameters, particularly those used in file operations. Implementing strict parameter validation that rejects or normalizes directory traversal sequences would effectively prevent exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns in real-time. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version of Ganesha Digital Library that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the vendor would have likely released a security update to resolve this issue. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate application functionality while maintaining the security posture against similar traversal attacks.