CVE-2014-5111 in trixbox
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Fonality trixbox allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the lang parameter to (1) home/index.php, (2) asterisk_info/asterisk_info.php, (3) repo/repo.php, or (4) endpointcfg/endpointcfg.php in maint/modules/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5111 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Fonality trixbox systems, which operates as a unified communications platform integrating Asterisk PBX with web-based management interfaces. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within multiple PHP scripts that process user-supplied language parameters, specifically targeting the lang parameter in four distinct endpoints. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system files and data that should remain protected within the application's restricted directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the lang parameter in four specific PHP files within the maint/modules/ directory structure. When these scripts process user input without proper sanitization or validation, they fail to prevent the use of relative path traversal sequences such as ..%2F or ../ that would normally be rejected by the system. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly canonicalize or validate file paths before processing, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files including configuration files, database credentials, and potentially sensitive user data stored within the trixbox environment. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from any network location to access system resources. The affected endpoints cover multiple functional areas of the trixbox management interface, suggesting that the vulnerability impacts core administrative and system information functions, potentially providing attackers with insights into system architecture, user configurations, and communication protocols that could facilitate further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as it enables attackers to discover system files and potentially extract sensitive information for use in subsequent attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5111 require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the affected PHP scripts. Organizations should implement proper parameter validation that rejects or normalizes any input containing directory traversal sequences before processing file operations. The recommended approach includes implementing strict whitelisting of valid language parameters, using absolute paths for file operations, and implementing proper directory restrictions that prevent access to sensitive system locations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts, while also ensuring that the trixbox system is updated to the latest available security patches from Fonality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control measures, as outlined in security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize the critical need for validating user inputs and implementing least privilege access controls to prevent unauthorized system access and data disclosure.