CVE-2014-8114 in Uberfire
Summary
by MITRE
The UberFire Framework 0.3.x does not properly restrict paths, which allows remote attackers to (1) execute arbitrary code by uploading crafted content to FileUploadServlet or (2) read arbitrary files via vectors involving FileDownloadServlet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
The CVE-2014-8114 vulnerability affects the UberFire Framework version 0.3.x, a web application framework used for building enterprise applications. This vulnerability stems from inadequate path restriction mechanisms within the framework's file handling components, specifically the FileUploadServlet and FileDownloadServlet. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects core file manipulation functionality that is essential for web applications to handle user uploads and downloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves insufficient input validation and path traversal controls within the framework's servlet components. When users upload files through the FileUploadServlet, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the file paths, allowing attackers to craft malicious file names or paths that can bypass normal security restrictions. Similarly, the FileDownloadServlet lacks proper access controls to verify that requested files are within allowed directories, enabling attackers to traverse the file system and access sensitive files. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices where the framework does not adequately validate user-supplied data before processing file operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8114 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems and read sensitive files that could contain database credentials, configuration information, or application source code. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files that would be executed on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary files could expose sensitive data, including application configuration files, database connection strings, or other confidential information that could be used for further attacks. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected applications, as it provides unauthorized access to system resources and can be used to escalate privileges or establish persistent access. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, and T1021, which involves remote services for lateral movement and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8114 should focus on implementing robust input validation and path restriction mechanisms within the affected framework components. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of the UberFire Framework where the path traversal vulnerabilities have been addressed. System administrators should implement strict file path validation that prevents directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ from being processed. Additionally, access controls should be enforced to ensure that file operations are restricted to specific, legitimate directories and that uploaded files are stored in secure locations with appropriate permissions. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to vulnerable servlet endpoints, while monitoring and logging should be implemented to detect suspicious file upload or download activities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack, as this type of weakness often indicates broader security implementation gaps that require comprehensive remediation.