CVE-2014-3975 in AuraCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Absolute path traversal vulnerability in filemanager.php in AuraCMS 3.0 allows remote attackers to list a directory via a full pathname in the viewdir parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3975 represents a critical absolute path traversal flaw within the AuraCMS 3.0 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the filemanager.php component which processes user input through the viewdir parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate directory listing operations by providing a full pathname, effectively bypassing normal access controls and potentially exposing sensitive system files or directories. Such path traversal vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous as they can allow unauthorized access to critical system resources that should remain protected from public view.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the filemanager.php script. When the viewdir parameter receives a full pathname, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before using it in directory traversal operations. This lack of proper input filtering creates an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious requests that can enumerate directories beyond the intended scope of the application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory listing capabilities, as it can provide attackers with comprehensive knowledge of the underlying filesystem structure. Remote attackers can leverage this information to identify sensitive files, configuration data, or system directories that may contain credentials, backup files, or other valuable assets. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the attack surface and can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the availability and confidentiality aspects of the system's security posture, potentially enabling attackers to discover system vulnerabilities, access unauthorized files, or even execute further malicious activities. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3975 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the filemanager.php component. The primary solution involves ensuring that all user-supplied input, particularly the viewdir parameter, undergoes strict validation to prevent absolute path traversal attempts. This includes implementing proper path normalization, rejecting input containing directory traversal sequences, and enforcing strict access controls that limit directory access to authorized users only. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege by restricting the application's ability to access system directories and ensuring that file operations are confined to predefined safe directories. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1083, which addresses directory and file permissions enumeration, as proper access controls and input validation can prevent unauthorized enumeration of system resources. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists to further reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts.