CVE-2014-3806 in Operations Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in cgi-bin/help/doIt.cgi in VMTurbo Operations Manager before 4.6 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the xml_path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3806 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the VMTurbo Operations Manager software ecosystem. This issue specifically affects versions prior to 4.6 and resides within the cgi-bin/help/doIt.cgi component of the application. The flaw manifests when the xml_path parameter receives input containing directory traversal sequences, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the underlying system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can provide attackers with access to sensitive system resources that should remain protected from external inspection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the doIt.cgi script. When the xml_path parameter contains sequences such as ../ or similar directory traversal patterns, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing. This allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and navigate beyond the intended directory structure, potentially accessing configuration files, log files, or other sensitive system resources. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing VMTurbo Operations Manager. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to access sensitive data including system configuration files, user credentials, or other confidential information stored within the application's file system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers may be able to retrieve files containing database connection strings, encryption keys, or other critical system components that could lead to further compromise of the environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, and T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various means including file system access.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommended action involves upgrading to VMTurbo Operations Manager version 4.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent directory traversal attacks. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation measures at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied parameters before processing. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in enterprise monitoring and management platforms.