CVE-2015-2994 in Remote Administrator
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in ChangePhoto.jsp in SysAid Help Desk before 15.2 allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with a .jsp extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in icons/user_photo/.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2994 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in the SysAid Help Desk software version 15.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the ChangePhoto.jsp component which handles user profile picture uploads, creating a pathway for remote administrators to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and file type checking mechanisms within the upload functionality, allowing maliciously crafted files to be uploaded without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a straightforward yet dangerous exploitation vector where authenticated administrators can upload malicious files with .jsp extensions to the icons/user_photo/ directory. This directory serves as the web-accessible location where uploaded profile pictures are stored, making it a prime target for code execution attacks. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the weakness of unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The lack of proper file extension validation and content verification means that uploaded files are automatically treated as legitimate web content, bypassing normal security restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a direct path to arbitrary code execution on the target system. Once a malicious .jsp file is uploaded and accessed, it can be executed by the web server, potentially allowing attackers to gain full control over the application server, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative access to exploit, which means that an attacker who has already compromised administrative credentials can leverage this flaw to achieve complete system compromise. The attack chain follows the typical pattern of T1078 for valid accounts and T1203 for exploitation of web application vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2994 should focus on implementing proper file validation controls and restricting upload directories. Organizations should immediately upgrade to SysAid Help Desk version 15.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file type validation that rejects executable file extensions, configuring web server restrictions to prevent execution of uploaded files in web-accessible directories, and implementing proper input sanitization for all file uploads. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file upload activities can also help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file handling in web applications and aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the issue of insecure file uploads that can lead to remote code execution.