CVE-2015-5079 in BlackCat
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in widgets/logs.php in BlackCat CMS before 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the dl parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The CVE-2015-5079 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BlackCat CMS content management system affecting versions prior to 1.1.2. This vulnerability resides in the widgets/logs.php component and enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through manipulation of the dl parameter. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically in how the application processes directory navigation sequences. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests containing .. (dot dot) sequences that traverse the file system hierarchy to access sensitive files that should remain protected. The 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. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the intended directory, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, system compromise, or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can enable attackers to retrieve critical system files, configuration data, database credentials, and potentially sensitive user information. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can access not only log files but also application source code, configuration files, and other sensitive resources that may contain authentication credentials, database connection strings, or other exploitable information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools. The vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use this flaw to discover system files and potentially gain access to resources that could be used for further exploitation. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation that violates secure coding practices and can lead to complete system compromise if sensitive files containing credentials or application logic are accessible through the traversal mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5079 should prioritize immediate patching of the BlackCat CMS to version 1.1.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the dl parameter. Organizations should implement proper input validation at multiple layers including application-level filtering of directory traversal sequences, implementing whitelisting of allowed file paths, and employing secure file access mechanisms. The fix should incorporate proper path normalization and validation to ensure that user-supplied input cannot contain sequences that would allow directory traversal. Additional defensive measures include restricting file access permissions, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging of file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper access controls to limit the impact of any successful attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding standards and the principle of least privilege in file system access, as well as the necessity of comprehensive input validation to prevent attackers from manipulating application behavior through crafted inputs.