CVE-2014-5258 in webEdition
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in showTempFile.php in webEdition CMS before 6.3.9.0 Beta allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The CVE-2014-5258 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the webEdition Content Management System version 6.3.9.0 Beta and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically affects the showTempFile.php script which processes file parameters without adequate input validation or sanitization mechanisms. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation in the file parameter, enabling them to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive data from the server.
This directory traversal vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to understand the file system structure and identify sensitive files. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly sanitize the file parameter before using it to construct file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the path resolution process. When an attacker supplies a malicious file parameter containing sequences like ../../../etc/passwd, the application resolves these paths without proper boundary checks, potentially exposing system files or application data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected webEdition CMS versions, as it provides authenticated attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem. This could potentially expose sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data that should remain protected. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, which limits its exposure compared to unauthenticated attacks, but it still represents a serious privilege escalation risk for users with legitimate access to the system. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the system, identify other potential vulnerabilities, or extract sensitive information that could aid in further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5258 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters. Organizations should upgrade to webEdition CMS version 6.3.9.0 Beta or later, which includes patches addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper path validation techniques such as canonicalization checks, using allowlists of permitted files, and implementing strict access controls can prevent unauthorized file access. The system should employ proper input sanitization by removing or encoding special characters in file paths, implementing proper directory traversal prevention mechanisms, and ensuring that all file operations occur within designated safe directories. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can also help detect exploitation attempts. Security controls should include regular vulnerability assessments, proper access control reviews, and implementation of principle of least privilege for CMS users to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.