CVE-2015-0269 in Contao
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Contao before 3.2.19, and 3.4.x before 3.4.4 allows remote authenticated "back end" users to view files outside their file mounts or the document root via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0269 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Contao content management system that affects versions prior to 3.2.19 and 3.4.4. This security weakness specifically targets back end users who possess authenticated access to the system's administrative interface, creating a significant risk for unauthorized file access and potential data exposure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling mechanisms that fail to adequately restrict file access within the system's designated file mounts and document root boundaries.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability allows authenticated backend users to exploit unspecified vectors that bypass normal file access controls. Attackers can leverage this flaw to navigate beyond their designated file mount points and access files that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability operates by manipulating file path parameters in such a way that the system's file handling logic fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input, enabling access to arbitrary files on the server's filesystem. This represents a classic directory traversal attack pattern where the attacker can manipulate directory paths to access files outside the intended scope of the application's file access controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0269 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information, configuration files, and potentially lead to further exploitation opportunities. Backend users with legitimate access to the Contao system can abuse this vulnerability to read system files, configuration data, or other sensitive resources that should remain protected within the application's designated boundaries. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal and path traversal issues in software applications. The impact can be particularly severe in environments where the Contao system processes sensitive data or where the application's file structure contains configuration files with database credentials or other authentication tokens.
Organizations utilizing Contao versions affected by CVE-2015-0269 face significant operational risks that include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained backend access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access is not properly monitored or controlled. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from the system. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to further compromise of the system, as attackers may discover additional sensitive files or configuration data that could be used for more advanced attacks. The remediation approach requires immediate patching to versions 3.2.19 or 3.4.4, along with proper access controls and monitoring of backend user activities to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and secure file handling practices in web applications. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in path handling logic can result in significant security consequences, particularly in content management systems that handle file operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including regular security assessments, proper access controls, and monitoring of user activities to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of keeping software components updated and patched to address known security issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.