CVE-2017-1000062 in kitto
Summary
by MITRE
kittoframework kitto 0.5.1 is vulnerable to directory traversal in the router resulting in remote code execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000062 affects the kittoframework version 0.5.1 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the application router component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle malicious file path requests. The kittoframework is a web application framework designed for building modern web applications, and its router component serves as the primary entry point for handling incoming HTTP requests and directing them to appropriate application handlers. When a malicious actor crafts a specially crafted request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the vulnerable router fails to adequately validate these inputs, allowing unauthorized access to files and directories outside the intended application scope. This fundamental flaw in input validation creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability manifests as a path traversal issue that directly impacts the framework's ability to properly route requests and maintain proper security boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application router processes user-supplied input without proper sanitization of path components. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing malicious URLs that contain directory traversal sequences, which when processed by the vulnerable router, can cause the application to access files outside its intended directory structure. This behavior can lead to unauthorized file access, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, source code, or other critical application data. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that successful exploitation can result in remote code execution, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system with the privileges of the web application process. The underlying flaw typically stems from improper handling of file system operations where user input is directly concatenated with file paths without adequate validation or canonicalization. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows an attacker to potentially access system files, application configuration data, or even execute code on the underlying server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for further compromise within the affected environment. Remote code execution capabilities mean that an attacker could potentially install backdoors, escalate privileges, or use the compromised system as a launching point for attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects not just individual applications built with kittoframework but potentially the entire server infrastructure if multiple applications are hosted on the same system. Organizations using this framework version may face significant security risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in environments where the web application has elevated privileges or access to sensitive data repositories. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring authentication, making it highly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. The compromise of the router component essentially undermines the application's security model, as it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain complete control over the affected system. This vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper security boundaries within web application frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000062 should focus on immediate remediation through framework updates and implementation of proper input validation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to a patched version of kittoframework that addresses the directory traversal vulnerability in the router component. The update process should include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in application functionality while effectively addressing the security flaw. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level can serve as a compensating control, requiring all user-supplied paths to be properly sanitized and validated before processing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide an additional layer of defense by monitoring and filtering suspicious requests containing directory traversal sequences. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. Security awareness training for development teams can prevent similar issues in future application development cycles by emphasizing secure coding practices and input validation requirements. This vulnerability underscores the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and defense in depth approaches to application security.