CVE-2014-2960 in Vision Critical
Summary
by MITRE
Vision Critical before 2014-05-30 allows attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, as demonstrated by image files and configuration files.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2960 represents a critical arbitrary file read flaw within Vision Critical software prior to the 2014-05-30 patch release. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references as classified by CWE-22, where attackers can exploit improper input validation to access files outside of the intended directory structure. The flaw specifically affects the application's handling of image files and configuration files, suggesting a path traversal mechanism that fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing file requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves insufficient validation of file paths or parameters passed to the application's file handling routines. Attackers can manipulate input parameters to traverse directory structures and access sensitive files that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability enables unauthorized data access and can potentially expose sensitive configuration information, user data, or system files that contain credentials or other confidential information. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist within the application's file handling mechanisms, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through various entry points.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as configuration files often contain critical system information that could aid in further attacks. When attackers can read arbitrary files, they gain visibility into the application's internal workings and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or other authentication tokens are accessible. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to data confidentiality and can result in regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of the data accessed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2960 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious file access patterns, while also ensuring that file access controls are properly configured to restrict access to sensitive directories. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security issues within the application architecture. The remediation process should include patching the specific vulnerability, implementing proper access controls, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers may use this vulnerability to discover and access sensitive files within the target environment.