CVE-2015-2990 in desknet NEO
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in NEOJAPAN desknet NEO 2.0R1.0 through 2.5R1.4 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a crafted parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2017
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2990 affects the NEOJAPAN desknet NEO software version range from 2.0R1.0 through 2.5R1.4. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious users to manipulate parameters and navigate through the file system hierarchy. The affected software operates as a network management solution that provides various administrative functions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters that are used to construct file paths. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious parameters containing sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to access files outside the intended directory structure. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the flaw, but once authenticated, they can leverage this weakness to access sensitive files including configuration data, user credentials, and system information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Remote authenticated attackers can access sensitive system files, configuration settings, and potentially database files that contain confidential information. The vulnerability enables attackers to retrieve administrative credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data that could facilitate further attacks. Organizations using affected versions of desknet NEO may experience unauthorized data access, potential data exfiltration, and compromise of the integrity of their network management systems. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects the core file handling functionality of the application, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks against network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2990 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, with administrators upgrading to versions that have addressed this vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation controls to prevent path traversal attacks by sanitizing all user-supplied input and implementing proper parameter validation. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they cannot easily move laterally within the network. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should follow the principle of least privilege, ensuring that authenticated users have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their required functions, thereby reducing the potential damage from successful attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in network management applications and highlights the need for regular security updates and vulnerability management processes.