CVE-2014-8555 in OpenEdge
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in report/reportViewAction.jsp in Progress Software OpenEdge 11.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the selection parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The CVE-2014-8555 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Progress Software OpenEdge 11.2's report viewing functionality. This vulnerability exists in the reportViewAction.jsp component which processes user input through the selection parameter without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate file paths by injecting .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse up directory structures, potentially accessing sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
This directory traversal vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before using it in file system operations. When the application processes the selection parameter containing directory traversal sequences, it does not adequately verify that the requested file path remains within the intended directory boundaries, creating a pathway for attackers to access files outside the designated application scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the server's file system. This could include configuration files containing database credentials, application source code, log files with sensitive information, or other system files that may contain exploitable data. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require local system access or authentication to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications where the attack surface is maximized.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery activities. Attackers could leverage this weakness to map the target system's file structure, identify sensitive files, and potentially escalate privileges or discover additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that OpenEdge applications often handle sensitive business data, making the potential compromise of system files particularly damaging to organizations relying on these platforms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation that explicitly blocks or removes directory traversal sequences from user input, implementing proper path normalization techniques, and restricting file access permissions to prevent unauthorized file system traversal. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal patterns, updating to patched versions of OpenEdge 11.2, and conducting thorough security assessments of similar components across the application stack are recommended defensive measures. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and access control mechanisms in preventing unauthorized file system access, particularly in enterprise applications handling sensitive business data.