CVE-2015-3648 in Limited ResourceSpace
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in pages/setup.php in Montala Limited ResourceSpace before 7.2.6727 allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the defaultlanguage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3648 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in the ResourceSpace digital asset management system developed by Montala Limited. This vulnerability exists within the pages/setup.php script and affects versions prior to 7.2.6727, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing this platform. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, specifically the defaultlanguage parameter, which can be manipulated to traverse directory structures and access arbitrary local files on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of the defaultlanguage parameter through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation. When an attacker submits a crafted request containing these traversal sequences, the application fails to validate the input properly, allowing the malicious payload to navigate through the file system hierarchy. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The weakness occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into file path operations without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a direct path traversal attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to include and execute local files, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the ResourceSpace environment. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that store sensitive digital assets, as the attacker could access not only configuration files but also potentially database credentials, user information, and other critical system components. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to ResourceSpace version 7.2.6727 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path operations, provides an additional layer of protection. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the affected application, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious directory traversal attempts. The mitigation strategies align with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through file inclusion mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and ensure comprehensive protection against similar directory traversal attacks across the organization's infrastructure.