CVE-2016-3972 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the dotTailLogServlet in dotCMS before 3.5.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the fileName parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2018
The CVE-2016-3972 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the dotTailLogServlet component of the dotCMS content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.5.1 and enables authenticated administrative users to access arbitrary files on the server through manipulation of the fileName parameter. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path navigation sequences, allowing attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy using standard dot-dot notation sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper path validation within the servlet's file handling logic. When an authenticated administrator submits a fileName parameter containing directory traversal sequences such as "../", the application fails to sanitize this input before processing file operations. This omission creates a pathway for attackers to access sensitive files beyond the intended directory boundaries, potentially exposing system configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential information stored on the server. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, but the authenticated privilege escalation aspect makes it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative access to perform unauthorized file operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing dotCMS platforms. The ability to read arbitrary files provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data including database connection strings, encryption keys, application configuration files, and potentially even source code repositories. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only a valid administrative account, which may have been compromised through other means or could be an insider threat. This makes the impact particularly severe as it allows for comprehensive data exfiltration and system reconnaissance without requiring additional authentication mechanisms or complex attack vectors.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate administrative credentials to access unauthorized system resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor patch to dotCMS version 3.5.1 or later, implementing proper input validation for all file path parameters, and restricting file access permissions for administrative accounts. Additional defensive measures should include network segmentation, monitoring for unusual file access patterns, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block directory traversal attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input validation and path handling mechanisms can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.