CVE-2015-4632 in koha
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Koha 3.14.x before 3.14.16, 3.16.x before 3.16.12, 3.18.x before 3.18.08, and 3.20.x before 3.20.1 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ..%2f (dot dot encoded slash) in the template_path parameter to (1) svc/virtualshelves/search or (2) svc/members/search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2015-4632 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting multiple versions of the Koha integrated library system. This vulnerability resides in the service endpoints svc/virtualshelves/search and svc/members/search where the template_path parameter fails to properly validate user input. The flaw allows remote attackers to exploit encoded directory traversal sequences using ..%2f patterns, which when processed by the application's template handling mechanism, can lead to unauthorized file access across the system's file structure.
This directory traversal vulnerability specifically affects Koha versions 3.14.x prior to 3.14.16, 3.16.x prior to 3.16.12, 3.18.x prior to 3.18.08, and 3.20.x prior to 3.20.1. The technical implementation flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation within the template processing pipeline, where user-supplied template_path parameters are directly incorporated into file system operations without proper path normalization or security checks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests containing encoded directory traversal sequences, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker exploiting this flaw can potentially access sensitive system files including configuration files, database credentials, user data, and system binaries that should remain protected. This could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to library patron information. The vulnerability affects library management systems that rely on Koha's web services, potentially exposing thousands of library patrons' personal data and library operational details. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-established weakness in file system access controls. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083: File and Directory Discovery, as it enables attackers to enumerate and access arbitrary files on the target system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4632 must focus on immediate patching of affected Koha versions to the recommended secure releases. Organizations should implement input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, API gateway filtering, and application-level parameter sanitization. The fix requires proper path normalization and validation of template_path parameters to prevent any traversal sequences from being processed. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, restricting file system permissions for the Koha application, and conducting regular security assessments of web services can help reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious file access patterns should also be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing of service endpoints that handle user-supplied data.