CVE-2017-14196 in Matrix
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Squiz Matrix from 5.3 through to 5.3.6.1 and 5.4.1.3. An information disclosure caused by a Path Traversal issue in the 'File Bridge' plugin allowed the existence of files outside of the bridged path to be confirmed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2017-14196 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Squiz Matrix content management system affecting versions 5.3 through 5.3.6.1 and 5.4.1.3. This issue specifically resides within the File Bridge plugin component that facilitates file access and management operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling when processing file requests through the bridged file system interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness to enumerate and confirm the existence of files located outside the designated bridged directory path, effectively bypassing intended access controls and exposing sensitive system files that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-200 Information Disclosure categories, demonstrating how inadequate input sanitization can lead to unauthorized file system access. The flaw operates by allowing malicious users to manipulate file path parameters in such a way that the system resolves file locations beyond the intended boundaries of the bridged directory structure. This occurs when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied path data before processing file access requests, creating opportunities for directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the File Bridge plugin's handling of file system operations, where relative path references can be exploited to navigate upward through directory structures using sequences like ../ or ..\.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the underlying file system structure and potentially exposes sensitive files that may contain configuration data, user credentials, or application source code. This reconnaissance capability enables more sophisticated attacks, including potential privilege escalation or further exploitation of other system vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects organizations using Squiz Matrix in production environments where file access controls are critical for maintaining system security and data confidentiality. Security teams may discover that attackers have successfully mapped parts of their file system, potentially identifying sensitive files such as database configuration files, backup archives, or application source code that could be leveraged for additional attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Squiz Matrix, implementing proper input validation for all file path parameters, and restricting access to the File Bridge plugin functionality. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the affected components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1213 Data from Information Repositories, highlighting how such information disclosure can facilitate further stages of the attack lifecycle. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. System administrators should also monitor for unusual file access patterns and implement proper logging of file system operations to detect exploitation attempts.