CVE-2016-7135 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Plone CMS 5.x through 5.0.6 and 4.2.x through 4.3.11 allows remote administrators to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the path parameter in a getFile action to Plone/++theme++barceloneta/@@plone.resourceeditor.filemanager-actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-7135 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Plone Content Management System versions 5.x through 5.0.6 and 4.2.x through 4.3.11. This weakness exists in the resource editor file manager component that handles file operations through the specific URL path Plone/++theme++barceloneta/@@plone.resourceeditor.filemanager-actions. The vulnerability specifically allows remote administrators to exploit a path traversal mechanism by manipulating the path parameter with .. (dot dot) sequences, enabling unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator submits a malicious path parameter containing directory traversal sequences to the getFile action endpoint. The system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input path parameter, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system resources. The attack vector leverages the existing administrative privileges of a legitimate user, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables unauthorized file access that could lead to further exploitation through privilege escalation or information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using affected Plone versions, as it provides a direct pathway for attackers to access sensitive system information that could be used for further compromise. An attacker with administrative access could potentially retrieve database configuration files containing passwords, application configuration files with sensitive settings, or other critical system artifacts. The vulnerability affects both major release branches of Plone, indicating it was a widespread issue that required immediate attention from system administrators. Organizations using these versions face elevated risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to exposure of sensitive information through unauthorized file access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7135 primarily involve immediate patching of affected Plone installations to versions that have addressed the directory traversal vulnerability. System administrators should ensure all Plone instances are updated to the latest stable releases that include proper input validation and sanitization for path parameters. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the impact of potential exploitation by restricting administrative access to only trusted networks. Organizations should also conduct thorough security audits of their Plone installations to identify any other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in custom themes or third-party extensions. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other components of the application stack. The remediation process should include validating that the file manager actions properly sanitize all input parameters and implement strict path validation to prevent directory traversal attempts.