CVE-2015-1834 in Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime
Summary
by MITRE
A path traversal vulnerability was identified in the Cloud Foundry component Cloud Controller that affects cf-release versions prior to v208 and Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime versions prior to 1.4.2. Path traversal is the 'outbreak' of a given directory structure through relative file paths in the user input. It aims at accessing files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder, for disallowed reading or even executing arbitrary system commands. An attacker could use a certain parameter of the file path for instance to inject '../' sequences in order to navigate through the file system. In this particular case a remote authenticated attacker can exploit the identified vulnerability in order to upload arbitrary files to the server running a Cloud Controller instance - outside the isolated application container.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-1834 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Cloud Foundry Cloud Controller component that fundamentally undermines the security boundaries of the platform. This weakness specifically affects cf-release versions prior to v208 and Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime versions prior to 1.4.2, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these older deployments. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of relative file paths in user input parameters, allowing attackers to escape the intended directory structure and access unauthorized system resources. Such path traversal attacks exploit the fundamental trust placed in user-supplied input, enabling malicious actors to navigate beyond the designated web root folder and potentially access sensitive system files or execute arbitrary commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Cloud Controller's file handling mechanisms. When legitimate users submit file paths through API endpoints, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them. Attackers can exploit this by injecting directory traversal sequences such as '../' into file path parameters, effectively bypassing the normal file system access controls. This flaw creates a direct pathway for remote authenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files to the Cloud Controller server outside of the isolated application container boundaries. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious file paths that traverse up the directory tree, ultimately allowing the attacker to write files to locations that should normally be restricted or inaccessible.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1834 extends far beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it fundamentally compromises the containerization security model that Cloud Foundry relies upon for application isolation. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can upload malicious files to the server running the Cloud Controller instance, potentially leading to full system compromise. The ability to place files outside isolated application containers means that attackers can deploy backdoors, modify system binaries, or establish persistent access points that persist across application deployments. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the core security architecture of Cloud Foundry, as it allows attackers to bypass the containerization boundaries that are supposed to isolate individual applications from each other and from the underlying infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of cf-release (v208 or later) and Pivotal Cloud Foundry Elastic Runtime (1.4.2 or later). The remediation process should also include implementing strict input validation controls at all API endpoints that handle file paths, particularly those that process user-supplied file upload operations. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all Cloud Foundry deployments to identify systems running vulnerable versions, and implement network segmentation to limit access to Cloud Controller instances. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their authentication mechanisms, as this vulnerability specifically targets authenticated attackers, meaning that any compromised credentials could be leveraged for exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through file upload capabilities. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect unusual file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should consider implementing automated patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in their environments.