CVE-2016-15017 in media_upload
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2023
A vulnerability has been found in fabarea media_upload and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function getUploadedFileList of the file Classes/Service/UploadFileService.php. The manipulation leads to pathname traversal. Upgrading to version 0.9.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is b25d42a4981072321c1a363311d8ea2a4ac8763a. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-217786 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15017 represents a critical security flaw in the fabarea media_upload component that resides within the Classes/Service/UploadFileService.php file. This issue specifically targets the getUploadedFileList function where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths through pathname traversal techniques. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities that enable attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive system resources by exploiting inadequate validation of user-supplied input during file upload operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes file upload requests without properly sanitizing or validating the file paths provided by users. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file names or paths that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ which allow them to navigate outside the designated upload directories. This particular flaw affects the upload file service component, which typically handles user file uploads and manages file listings, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to access or manipulate system files. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from its ability to potentially allow full system compromise through unauthorized file access and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to read system files, execute arbitrary code, or even escalate privileges within the affected system. When combined with other exploitation techniques, this pathname traversal vulnerability can serve as a foundational attack vector for more sophisticated breaches. The vulnerability affects the core file management functionality of the media_upload component, potentially exposing sensitive data or system configuration files that should remain protected from user access. Organizations relying on this component face significant risk of data exposure, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to the unauthorized access capabilities this flaw provides.
Security mitigation for CVE-2016-15017 requires immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch identified as b25d42a4981072321c1a363311d8ea2a4ac8763a, which addresses the specific pathname traversal vulnerability in the getUploadedFileList function. The recommended upgrade to version 0.9.0 resolves the underlying validation issues that allow malicious path manipulation. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, proper file path sanitization, and restrictive file upload policies that limit the types of files that can be uploaded. Network segmentation and monitoring of file upload activities can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as critical aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers may use this vulnerability to execute malicious code through compromised file upload mechanisms. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in related components and prevent similar issues from occurring in other parts of the application infrastructure.