CVE-2016-10331 in Photo Station
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in download.php in Synology Photo Station before 6.5.3-3226 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a full pathname in the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10331 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Synology Photo Station software versions prior to 6.5.3-3226. This security weakness resides in the download.php script which processes file download requests without adequate input validation. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize the id parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized system resources. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the id parameter in the download.php endpoint. When an attacker supplies a full pathname instead of a legitimate file identifier, the application processes this input without proper validation, allowing arbitrary file access. This type of attack can potentially expose configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access not only user photos but also underlying system files, potentially leading to privilege escalation and further network infiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10331 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's input validation and access control mechanisms. Organizations running affected versions of Synology Photo Station face significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where the application stores sensitive user information or serves as part of a larger enterprise infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing and file access, and T1566, which encompasses the initial access phase through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. This weakness could enable attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, gather intelligence about the target environment, and potentially establish persistence mechanisms by accessing system configuration files or logs that reveal network topology and security measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of proper input validation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Synology Photo Station version 6.5.3-3226 or later, which includes patches addressing the directory traversal flaw. Additionally, network administrators should implement restrictive file access controls, ensure proper file permissions are configured, and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the patch resolves the vulnerability without introducing regressions in functionality. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of other Synology services and applications to identify similar weaknesses. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input sanitization and access control measures, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the need for robust application security controls and regular vulnerability management processes.