CVE-2016-10038 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal in /connectors/index.php in MODX Revolution before 2.5.2-pl allows remote attackers to perform local file inclusion/traversal/manipulation via a crafted dir parameter, related to browser/directory/remove.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10038 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the MODX Revolution content management system prior to version 2.5.2-pl. This security weakness exists in the /connectors/index.php script and specifically affects the browser/directory/remove functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate file system operations through malicious input manipulation. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the dir parameter, which allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which classifies directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms. The attack vector operates through HTTP requests that contain specially crafted directory paths, enabling adversaries to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute unauthorized file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be performed remotely without authentication. Attackers can construct malicious URLs with encoded directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy. When the MODX application processes these malformed directory paths through the connectors/index.php endpoint, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before performing file system operations. This allows attackers to not only read arbitrary files but potentially delete, modify, or upload files within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the directory removal functionality, but the underlying directory traversal flaw can be leveraged to perform various malicious operations including information disclosure, remote code execution, and system compromise. The lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited across multiple attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10038 extends beyond simple file access violations and can lead to complete system compromise. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data access, including sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and user information stored within the application's file system. Attackers may also gain the ability to upload malicious files, potentially leading to remote code execution and persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects the core file management capabilities of MODX Revolution, undermining the application's security model and potentially exposing the entire web server to unauthorized manipulation. This flaw can be particularly damaging in environments where MODX serves as a primary content management platform for sensitive organizations, as it provides attackers with direct access to the underlying file system and application data. The impact is further amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects a core component used for browser and directory management operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their MODX installations. The primary remediation involves upgrading to MODX Revolution version 2.5.2-pl or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the dir parameter. Additionally, administrators should implement web application firewalls to filter malicious directory traversal sequences and monitor for suspicious file access patterns. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any unauthorized modifications or backdoors that may have been established through exploitation of this flaw. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use information discovered through directory traversal to craft more sophisticated social engineering attacks. Organizations should also review their file system permissions and implement least privilege principles to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.