CVE-2015-1398 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Magento Community Edition (CE) 1.9.1.0 and Enterprise Edition (EE) 1.14.1.0 allow remote authenticated users to include and execute certain PHP files via (1) .. (dot dot) sequences in the PATH_INFO to index.php or (2) vectors involving a block value in the ___directive parameter to the Cms_Wysiwyg controller in the Adminhtml module, related to the blockDirective function and the auto loading mechanism. NOTE: vector 2 might not cross privilege boundaries, since administrators might already have the privileges to execute code and upload files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-1398 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Magento Community Edition 1.9.1.0 and Enterprise Edition 1.14.1.0 installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the application's handling of file paths and user-supplied data, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion mechanisms. The flaw exists within the core file system traversal logic that processes user requests, particularly in how the application interprets PATH_INFO parameters and processes block directive values. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through two distinct vectors that leverage the application's auto-loading mechanisms and path resolution capabilities.
The first exploitation vector involves manipulating the PATH_INFO parameter sent to index.php by inserting .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse the file system directories. This allows authenticated users to access and include PHP files outside the intended web root directory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The second vector targets the Cms_Wysiwyg controller within the Adminhtml module, where the blockDirective function processes the ___directive parameter. This particular pathway leverages the application's auto-loading mechanism to execute malicious code through crafted block values, bypassing normal security checks. Both vectors demonstrate a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and path validation that allows attackers to manipulate the application's file inclusion behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the affected Magento systems. This capability allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both front-end and admin panel functionalities, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit it from multiple entry points. The fact that administrators might already possess privileges to upload files and execute code in the second vector means that even if privilege escalation is not required, the overall attack surface remains significantly expanded. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and CWE-23 - Relative Path Traversal, both of which are classified as high-risk issues in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied PATH_INFO parameters and ___directive values. The application should enforce strict path validation that prevents directory traversal sequences from being processed. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. Additionally, administrators should ensure that all Magento installations are updated to patched versions that address these directory traversal vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage this flaw for persistent access and further system compromise. Regular security audits should verify that no custom modules or modifications introduce similar path traversal vulnerabilities, as the auto-loading mechanism remains a potential attack surface for future exploits.