CVE-2015-0912 in EasyCTF
Summary
by MITRE
EasyCTF before 1.4 allows remote authenticated users to write executable content to files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0912 affects EasyCTF versions prior to 1.4, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code through file writing capabilities. This issue falls under the category of insecure file handling and privilege escalation vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the application's file manipulation functions that should have been restricted to authorized users only. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's file system operations, allowing authenticated users to bypass normal security restrictions and inject executable content into system files or directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves unspecified vectors that likely exploit weaknesses in the application's permission model or file handling routines. Attackers who have already gained authentication credentials can leverage this flaw to place malicious code in locations where it can be executed by the application or system processes. This represents a significant escalation of privileges from authenticated user status to potential system compromise, as the attacker can effectively inject malicious payloads that persist beyond the initial attack vector. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) which both address improper file path handling and manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations using EasyCTF versions before 1.4, as it allows attackers to establish persistent backdoors or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The attack surface expands significantly since only authentication is required rather than physical access or more sophisticated exploitation techniques. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application is deployed. The impact is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects a framework used for capture the flag competitions, which are often deployed in environments with elevated privileges and access to sensitive resources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the EasyCTF application to version 1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control measures including principle of least privilege, regular security audits of file system permissions, and monitoring for unauthorized file modifications. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious file creation patterns. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and mandatory access controls can prevent unauthorized execution of code. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched application to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is addressed. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that handle file operations and user-provided data, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) which address command execution and account compromise respectively.