CVE-2014-2933 in Caldera
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in dirmng/index.php in Caldera 9.20 allows remote attackers to access arbitrary directories via a crafted pathname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2933 represents a directory traversal flaw within the Caldera 9.20 web application, specifically affecting the dirmng/index.php component. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary directories on the affected system by crafting malicious pathname requests. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied path information, allowing attackers to manipulate file system access through specially crafted requests.
This directory traversal vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal. The vulnerability exists due to the application's failure to adequately validate and sanitize user input before using it in file system operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to navigate beyond intended directories and potentially access sensitive files, configuration data, or system resources. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access critical system files, configuration databases, user credentials, and application source code, which may reveal additional vulnerabilities or provide pathways for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the affected system, as unauthorized parties can gain access to sensitive data that should remain protected. In enterprise environments, this could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or system compromise that may affect multiple connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2933 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization controls. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied path information undergoes strict validation to prevent directory traversal attempts, including implementing whitelisting mechanisms that only allow access to predetermined, safe directories. The recommended approach involves implementing a robust path normalization process that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters and sequences. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting the web application's file system access to only necessary directories and implementing proper access controls. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, and ensure that all systems are updated to the latest versions of Caldera that address this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing to verify that the implemented controls effectively prevent directory traversal attacks while maintaining application functionality.