CVE-2014-10401 in DBI Module
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the DBI module before 1.632 for Perl. DBD::File drivers can open files from folders other than those specifically passed via the f_dir attribute.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10401 resides within the DBI module for Perl, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.632. This security flaw manifests in the DBD::File drivers which are designed to handle file-based database operations. The core issue involves improper access control mechanisms that allow these drivers to traverse and access files beyond the designated directories specified through the f_dir attribute parameter. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability where the security boundary intended to restrict file access is bypassed through inadequate input validation and directory handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how the DBD::File drivers process directory paths when accessing files. When users configure the f_dir attribute to specify a particular directory for file operations, the driver should strictly limit access to only those files within that specified path. However, the flaw allows attackers to craft file paths that can traverse parent directories using sequences like "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. This occurs because the drivers fail to properly sanitize or canonicalize the file paths before attempting to access them, creating an opening for unauthorized file system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running affected Perl applications that utilize DBD::File drivers. Attackers could potentially access sensitive files that should remain protected, including configuration files, user data, system logs, or even system binaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the Perl application has elevated privileges or runs with access to critical system resources. This type of flaw can lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise depending on the application's security context and the files accessible through the vulnerable path traversal mechanism.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which categorizes these issues as weaknesses that allow attackers to access files outside of intended directories. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can use the path traversal to discover and access sensitive files that might contain credentials or other valuable information. Organizations using affected Perl applications should immediately upgrade to DBI version 1.632 or later, as this release includes proper input sanitization and path validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, restricting file system permissions for the Perl application, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help mitigate the risk until full patching is achieved.