CVE-2016-15019 in jekbox
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2023
A vulnerability was found in tombh jekbox. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file lib/server.rb. The manipulation leads to exposure of information through directory listing. The attack may be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is 64eb2677671018fc08b96718b81e3dbc83693190. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-218375.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15019 represents a directory listing information exposure issue within the jekyll static site generator platform. This security flaw exists in the processing logic of the lib/server.rb file, which serves as a core component responsible for handling server operations and file serving within the jekyll framework. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of file system requests that allows unauthorized access to directory structures, potentially exposing sensitive file listings and directory contents to attackers. The issue manifests when the server processes requests for files that should be protected or restricted, inadvertently revealing the underlying directory hierarchy through the directory listing mechanism.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, where an attacker can craft specific requests to the jekyll server to enumerate directories and access files that should remain hidden or protected. This type of information exposure vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which specifically addresses the disclosure of information to unauthorized actors. The flaw allows for reconnaissance activities that can reveal the internal structure of the web application, potentially exposing configuration files, source code, or other sensitive resources that may contain credentials, system information, or application logic. The attack surface expands significantly as the directory listing can reveal not only file names but also potentially sensitive directory structures that may indicate the presence of backup files, development artifacts, or other resources that could be exploited in subsequent attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the broader attack chain. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) where the exposed directory information can be used to identify potential targets for further exploitation. The exposure of directory structures provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning more targeted attacks, including identifying backup files that may contain sensitive information, locating configuration files that could reveal database credentials, or finding development artifacts that may contain hardcoded secrets. This information exposure can also facilitate path traversal attacks where the directory listing reveals potential paths that can be exploited to access restricted areas of the file system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and directory traversal protection mechanisms within the jekyll server implementation. The recommended patch identified as 64eb2677671018fc08b96718b81e3dbc83693190 addresses the core issue by properly sanitizing file system requests and ensuring that directory listing operations are restricted to authorized users only. Organizations should also implement proper network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of jekyll servers to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar information exposure vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring for directory access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory enumeration requests, and ensure that all jekyll installations are kept up to date with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly simple directory handling operations can create significant security risks when not properly secured against unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing, including security code reviews and penetration testing, to identify and remediate similar information exposure issues in web applications. Organizations should also establish security awareness programs to educate developers about secure coding practices, particularly around file system operations and directory handling, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced during the development lifecycle.