CVE-2016-4314 in Carbon
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the LogViewer Admin Service in WSO2 Carbon 4.4.5 allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the logFile parameter to downloadgz-ajaxprocessor.jsp.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4314 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the LogViewer Admin Service component of WSO2 Carbon version 4.4.5. This issue specifically affects the downloadgz-ajaxprocessor.jsp endpoint which processes logFile parameters without adequate input validation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through the use of directory traversal sequences such as .. (dot dot). This flaw exists within the broader context of web application security where improper input handling leads to unauthorized access to system resources. The affected WSO2 Carbon platform serves as a middleware solution for enterprise application integration and management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its administrative functionalities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper path validation mechanisms within the LogViewer service. When an authenticated administrator accesses the downloadgz-ajaxprocessor.jsp endpoint with a malicious logFile parameter containing directory traversal sequences, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before processing file operations. This allows attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of WSO2 Carbon, where legitimate administrators possess elevated privileges that can be leveraged to escalate the attack beyond simple information disclosure. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability, which falls under the category of input validation failures that can lead to unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4314 extends beyond simple file disclosure, as it enables attackers with administrative credentials to potentially access sensitive configuration files, log files containing credentials, system binaries, and other confidential data stored on the server. This vulnerability can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where WSO2 Carbon instances may host critical business applications and services. The attack vector requires only authenticated access to the administrative interface, which means that if an attacker can obtain valid administrative credentials through phishing, credential theft, or other means, they can immediately exploit this vulnerability. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004: Valid Accounts - Cloud Accounts, where adversaries leverage legitimate administrative privileges to access system resources. The potential for data exfiltration increases significantly when combined with other exploitation techniques, as attackers can harvest sensitive information from the compromised system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for WSO2 Carbon 4.4.5, which address the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of the logFile parameter. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, enforcing strict access controls, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns in system logs. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary administrative services and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper security testing and code review processes. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their software infrastructure. Regular updates to WSO2 Carbon platforms and related components remain essential to maintain security posture against evolving threats.