CVE-2017-12586 in SLiMS 8 Akasia
Summary
by MITRE
SLiMS 8 Akasia through 8.3.1 has an arbitrary file reading issue because of directory traversal in the url parameter to admin/help.php. It can be exploited by remote authenticated librarian users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12586 affects SLiMS 8 Akasia versions through 8.3.1 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized file access. This issue exists within the administrative help component of the system where the url parameter in admin/help.php fails to properly validate user input, creating a path traversal condition that allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated librarian users who possess administrative privileges within the SLiMS system, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user credentials to escalate access rights.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the web application's parameter handling. When the url parameter is processed in admin/help.php, the system does not properly filter or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the parameter value to traverse directory structures using sequences such as ../ or ..\.. This type of flaw directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability enables attackers to read arbitrary files from the server filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12586 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system resources that could lead to further exploitation. Remote authenticated librarian users who can access the help.php component can leverage this vulnerability to read files such as database connection details, application configuration files, or even source code that may contain additional vulnerabilities. This access could enable attackers to escalate privileges, gain deeper system access, or conduct more sophisticated attacks such as code injection or privilege escalation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication, meaning that compromised or insider accounts could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application code. The recommended approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that filters out directory traversal sequences and ensures that all file access operations occur within designated safe directories. Organizations should also implement the principle of least privilege by restricting librarian user access to only necessary administrative functions and ensuring that file access operations are properly sandboxed. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, which emphasizes the importance of protecting access to system repositories and maintaining proper access controls. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities throughout the application, while also implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of SLiMS 8 Akasia or implementing comprehensive input validation frameworks that prevent directory traversal attacks at the application level.