CVE-2015-5650 in AjaXplorer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in AjaXplorer 2.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The CVE-2015-5650 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw in AjaXplorer 2.0, a web-based file management system that has been widely deployed in enterprise environments for collaborative document sharing. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", making it a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability exists within the file handling mechanisms of the application, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used to construct file paths, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this directory traversal vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors that typically involve crafting malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\..\" to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access files that should normally be restricted, including configuration files, database files, system logs, and potentially even system binaries or credentials stored in accessible locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files without requiring authentication, making it a prime target for reconnaissance and privilege escalation attacks. The flaw essentially enables attackers to construct file paths that traverse upward through the directory structure, potentially reaching sensitive system areas that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using AjaXplorer 2.0, as it can lead to data breaches, information disclosure, and potential system compromise. The ability to read arbitrary files means attackers can access sensitive configuration data that may contain database credentials, API keys, or other authentication tokens that could be used for further attacks. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is exposed through such vulnerabilities, particularly in industries subject to data protection regulations like healthcare or financial services. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it difficult to defend against and potentially affecting a large number of users who have not yet patched their systems.
Security professionals should consider implementing multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2015-5650, including immediate patching of affected systems and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block traversal attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers may use the information gained from file traversal to craft more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in their web applications, as this type of flaw is common in legacy systems and often stems from inadequate input validation practices. Network segmentation and access control measures can provide additional protection by limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and reducing the attack surface available to malicious actors.