CVE-2015-5383 in RoundCube
Summary
by MITRE
Roundcube Webmail 1.1.x before 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading files in the (1) config, (2) temp, or (3) logs directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5383 affects Roundcube Webmail versions 1.1.x prior to 1.1.2, presenting a significant information disclosure risk that could enable remote attackers to access sensitive data stored within the application's directory structure. This flaw resides in the application's handling of file access requests, specifically within the configuration, temporary, and log directories where critical system information is typically stored. The vulnerability represents a classic path traversal issue that allows unauthorized access to files that should remain protected from public viewing, potentially exposing system configurations, user data, and operational logs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the Roundcube Webmail application. When users or attackers make requests to access files in the config, temp, or logs directories, the application fails to properly validate the requested paths, allowing malicious actors to craft URLs that traverse the file system and access sensitive files. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as Path Traversal, where an attacker can manipulate file path references to access files outside of the intended directory structure. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which unauthorized parties can retrieve configuration files that may contain database credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive system parameters, along with temporary files that could reveal session information and log files that might contain user activities or system errors.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5383 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of configuration files could lead to further exploitation opportunities within the webmail system. Attackers who gain access to these sensitive files might discover database connection strings containing passwords, encryption keys used for securing communications, or other credentials that could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The temporary directory access could reveal session tokens, cached user data, or other transient information that could be leveraged for session hijacking or additional attack vectors. Log files accessed through this vulnerability might contain error messages with stack traces, user activities, or system vulnerabilities that could inform more sophisticated attacks. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which focuses on discovering system information, and T1005, which addresses data from local system, creating a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence before executing more targeted attacks.
Organizations using affected Roundcube versions should immediately implement mitigations including applying the security patch released in version 1.1.2, which addresses the path traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and access control enforcement. Additional protective measures should include restricting web server access to sensitive directories, implementing proper file permissions that prevent unauthorized access to configuration and log files, and conducting regular security audits of web application directories. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the webmail application's directory structure, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual access patterns to sensitive directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks, which are commonly addressed through principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks that emphasize proper access control and input sanitization techniques.