CVE-2015-7314 in gollum
Summary
by MITRE
The Precious module in gollum before 4.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files by leveraging the lack of a certain temporary-file check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7314 affects the Precious module within the gollum wiki software version prior to 4.0.1, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the system. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the temporary file handling process, creating a path for unauthorized file access that could potentially expose sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the module's inability to properly verify temporary file operations, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness from remote locations without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The vulnerability operates by bypassing intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized file access through temporary file mechanisms. Attackers can manipulate the module's file handling procedures to read files that should normally be restricted, potentially accessing configuration files, user data, system logs, or other sensitive information stored on the server. The lack of proper temporary file validation creates an attack surface where file paths are not adequately sanitized or verified before being processed, enabling attackers to construct malicious file access requests.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using gollum wiki systems, as it allows remote exploitation without authentication requirements. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further attacks, as access to system files could reveal credentials, configuration details, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for additional compromises. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible wiki installations. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, data breaches, and potential system compromise if this vulnerability remains unaddressed.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to gollum version 4.0.1 or later, which includes proper temporary file validation and path restriction mechanisms. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of wiki systems to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, implementing proper input validation for all file operations, and conducting regular security assessments of wiki installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper temporary file handling and input validation in preventing path traversal attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution that could be leveraged through such file access vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.