CVE-2016-10528 in restafary
Summary
by MITRE
restafary is a REpresentful State Transfer API for Creating, Reading, Using, Deleting files on a server from the web. Restafary before 1.6.1 is able to set up a root path, which should only allow it to run inside of that root path it specified.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10528 affects the restafary framework, a RESTful API designed for file operations including creation, reading, updating, and deletion of files on web servers. This security flaw represents a critical path traversal issue that undermines the intended security boundaries of the application. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of directory restriction mechanisms within the framework's file handling capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests in the framework's inability to properly enforce root path restrictions, allowing attackers to bypass intended directory boundaries and access files outside the designated root path. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability where the application fails to validate or sanitize file paths properly, enabling unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 1.6.1, indicating that the developers recognized and addressed the issue in subsequent releases.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing restafary for file management operations. Attackers can exploit this flaw to access sensitive files, system configuration data, or other restricted resources that should be isolated within the specified root path. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to potential system compromise, as unauthorized file access could lead to privilege escalation or further exploitation opportunities. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
The security implications of CVE-2016-10528 align with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-73 Path Traversal, both of which address improper input validation in file system operations. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can use such vulnerabilities to discover and access sensitive files within the target environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to restafary version 1.6.1 or later, implementing proper input validation, and conducting comprehensive security reviews of file handling operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust path validation mechanisms, enforcing strict directory traversal controls, and conducting regular security assessments of RESTful APIs. Organizations must ensure that all file operations within web applications properly validate and sanitize input parameters to prevent unauthorized path access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and highlights the need for continuous security testing and code review processes to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.