CVE-2014-2872 in Commonspot Content Server
Summary
by MITRE
PaperThin CommonSpot before 7.0.2 and 8.x before 8.0.3 allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information from a directory listing via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2872 affects PaperThin CommonSpot content management systems prior to versions 7.0.2 and 8.0.3, representing a directory traversal information disclosure weakness that enables remote attackers to access potentially sensitive data through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of information disclosure flaws that can provide adversaries with unauthorized access to system resources and data that should remain protected. The issue specifically manifests when the application fails to properly restrict access to directory listings, allowing attackers to enumerate files and directories that contain sensitive information. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in content management systems where multiple users and applications interact with file systems, as it can expose configuration files, source code, user data, and other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the CommonSpot application. When attackers can manipulate application parameters or directly request directory listings without proper authentication or authorization checks, they gain access to file system structures that should be protected. This flaw typically occurs when the application does not properly sanitize user inputs or when directory traversal paths are not adequately restricted. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple attack methods including but not limited to direct URL manipulation, parameter injection, or other input manipulation techniques that bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly enforce access restrictions on directory resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2872 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked directory listings can provide attackers with comprehensive maps of the application's file structure and potentially reveal sensitive system information. Attackers can use this information to identify configuration files containing database credentials, application source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities, backup files that could contain sensitive data, and other system artifacts that facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of directory listings can also enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be difficult or impossible without such information. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves collecting credentials from the file system, as directory enumeration can lead to the discovery of files containing sensitive information. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the content management system hosts sensitive corporate data, user information, or system configuration files that could be exploited for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions 7.0.2 and 8.0.3, which contain proper access controls and input validation measures to prevent unauthorized directory access. System administrators should also review and restrict directory access permissions, implement proper input sanitization measures, and conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist within the application's file handling mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control policies should be strengthened to limit potential damage from information disclosure attacks, and regular monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications, as highlighted by industry standards such as CWE-284 and the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious directory traversal activities and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.