CVE-2015-10142 in Experience Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2025
Sitecore Experience Platform (XP) prior to 8.0 Initial Release (rev. 141212) and Content Management System (CMS) prior to 7.2 Update-3 (rev. 141226) and prior to 7.5 Update-1 (rev. 150130) contain a vulnerability that may allow an attacker to download files under the web root of the site when the name of the file is already known via a specially-crafted URL. Affected files do not include .config, .aspx or .cs files. The issue does not allow for directory browsing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-10142 affects Sitecore Experience Platform and Content Management System versions prior to specific release thresholds, creating a significant information disclosure risk. This flaw resides in the file access control mechanisms of the Sitecore platform, where attackers can exploit a weakness in URL processing to retrieve files that are normally protected within the web root directory structure. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems running Sitecore XP versions before 8.0 Initial Release with revision 141212, as well as CMS versions before 7.2 Update-3 with revision 141226 and before 7.5 Update-1 with revision 150130. The security issue stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement when processing specially crafted URLs that reference files within the web application's directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a flaw in how Sitecore handles file requests through URL parameters, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized file retrieval. When an attacker knows the specific filename within the web root directory, they can construct a URL that circumvents the platform's intended file access restrictions. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a path traversal or directory traversal issue, though it's specifically limited to files that are directly accessible within the web root rather than allowing arbitrary directory navigation. The affected system behavior demonstrates a failure in proper file access validation, where the platform does not adequately verify that requested files are accessible to the requesting user or that the request is legitimate. This weakness creates an information disclosure scenario where sensitive files that should remain protected can be retrieved by unauthorized parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to configuration files, application code, or other sensitive resources that might contain system information, credentials, or other data that could be leveraged for further attacks. While the vulnerability specifically excludes .config, .aspx, and .cs files from the attack surface, the potential for accessing other file types within the web root remains significant. Attackers could potentially retrieve log files, temporary files, or other resources that might contain sensitive information about the system's operation, user activities, or internal configurations. The vulnerability does not enable directory browsing capabilities, which limits the scope of what can be accessed, but it still allows for targeted file retrieval of known files. This issue directly impacts the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in proper access control implementation within the Sitecore platform, potentially exposing sensitive system information that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The security implications of CVE-2015-10142 align with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-200 Information Disclosure categories, representing a clear violation of secure coding practices and access control mechanisms. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1005 Data from Local System, as it enables unauthorized access to files within the web application's directory structure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of Sitecore as specified in the vulnerability timeline, implementing proper URL parameter validation, and conducting thorough security reviews of file access mechanisms. Additional protective measures include restricting file access permissions, implementing web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly in content management systems where file access controls are essential for maintaining system integrity and protecting sensitive information assets.