CVE-2015-5473 in SyncThru 6
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in Samsung SyncThru 6 before 1.0 allow remote attackers to delete arbitrary files via unspecified parameters to (1) upload/updateDriver or (2) upload/addDriver or to execute arbitrary code with SYSTEM privileges via unspecified parameters to (3) uploadCloning.html, (4) fileupload.html, (5) uploadFirmware.html, or (6) upload/driver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2015-5473 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Samsung SyncThru 6 versions prior to 1.0, exposing multiple attack vectors that could enable remote code execution and arbitrary file deletion. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of Samsung printers and multifunction devices that utilize the SyncThru software platform, creating a significant security risk for enterprise environments where these devices are deployed. The affected components include several HTML upload handlers that process file uploads without proper input validation, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and execute malicious operations on the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specifically crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoints including upload/updateDriver, upload/addDriver, uploadCloning.html, fileupload.html, uploadFirmware.html, and the upload/driver handler. These interfaces fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied parameters that control file paths and operations, enabling attackers to traverse directory structures and access restricted files or directories. The vulnerability manifests as a classic path traversal attack where malicious input can manipulate the file system operations to target system files or execute code with elevated privileges. According to CWE standards, this corresponds to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion to include complete system compromise through arbitrary code execution with SYSTEM privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious firmware, execute commands on the device, or modify critical system files, potentially leading to persistent backdoors or complete device takeover. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where multiple printers and multifunction devices are connected to the internal network, as these devices often serve as attack vectors for lateral movement and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects the underlying operating system of the devices, which typically runs a Linux-based embedded system, making it possible for attackers to gain full control over the printing infrastructure.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive given that SyncThru is widely deployed across corporate networks and includes numerous printer models from Samsung's enterprise product line. Organizations that have not updated to the patched version of SyncThru 1.0 remain at risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for devices connected to untrusted networks or exposed to the internet. The attack vector is typically initiated through web-based exploitation of the HTTP interfaces, where attackers can craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and manipulate the device's file system operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 for lateral movement and T1059 for command and script injection, representing a critical weakness in the device's security posture that requires immediate remediation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including blocking access to the vulnerable SyncThru web interfaces from untrusted networks, applying the available security patches from Samsung, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices. The recommended solution involves updating to SyncThru 1.0 or later versions that contain proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web services on printer devices and implementing proper access controls to limit who can interact with the device management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable devices within the network infrastructure, as similar path traversal vulnerabilities may exist in other embedded systems or device management interfaces.