CVE-2015-4666 in Xsuite
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in opm/read_sessionlog.php in Xceedium Xsuite 2.3.0 and 2.4.3.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a ....// (quadruple dot double slash) in the logFile parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2025
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4666 affects Xceedium Xsuite versions 2.3.0 and 2.4.3.0, specifically within the opm/read_sessionlog.php component. This flaw represents a classic path traversal issue that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through manipulation of the logFile parameter. The vulnerability exploits the insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before using it in file operations. Attackers can leverage the quadruple dot double slash sequence to bypass directory restrictions and navigate to sensitive system files that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The exploitation technique relies on the improper handling of directory traversal sequences in the application's file access logic, allowing attackers to move up directory structures beyond the intended scope of file operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation within the read_sessionlog.php script. When the application processes the logFile parameter, it fails to properly validate or filter the input string, allowing malicious sequences to pass through unchanged to the underlying file system operations. The quadruple dot double slash pattern serves as a sophisticated bypass mechanism that can evade basic path traversal detection systems, as it creates multiple directory navigation attempts that may not be caught by simple string matching approaches. This particular implementation pattern demonstrates a lack of proper path normalization and validation that would typically be implemented in secure file access operations. The 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 attacks. This weakness creates a fundamental security gap where the application's file access controls can be circumvented through carefully crafted input sequences that manipulate the intended file access paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive system information, configuration files, and potentially even credentials or authentication data stored in log files. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to session logs, system logs, and potentially other sensitive files that may contain information about system architecture, user activities, or application behavior. The remote nature of the attack means that no local system access is required, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as the attacker can use this traversal capability to explore the file system structure and identify sensitive files that may be accessible through the application. The exposure of sensitive files through this vulnerability can lead to further exploitation opportunities, including credential theft, system reconnaissance, and potential privilege escalation within the affected system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4666 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected application. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input filtering that rejects or normalizes directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the file system operations. Organizations should implement proper path validation that ensures all file access operations occur within designated safe directories and that user input is properly escaped or encoded to prevent interpretation as path traversal sequences. The application should employ a whitelist approach for file access, where only explicitly allowed files or directories can be accessed, rather than relying on blacklisting potentially dangerous input patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the application can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation attempts. Security patches should be applied immediately to update to versions that properly address the path traversal vulnerability, as the affected versions represent a known security risk. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known path traversal attack patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in preventing directory traversal attacks and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file access functions within web applications.