CVE-2017-14240 in Dolibarr
Summary
by MITRE
There is a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability in document.php in Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 6.0.0 via the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14240 represents a critical sensitive information disclosure flaw within Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 6.0.0, specifically affecting the document.php component. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to adequately restrict file access based on user permissions. The flaw manifests through the file parameter in the document.php script, which accepts user-supplied input without sufficient sanitization or authorization checks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access restricted documents and files that should only be available to authorized users within the system. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200 - Information Exposure, which is a fundamental security concern that can lead to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate the file parameter to traverse directories and access files outside the intended scope of the application. When the document.php script processes the file parameter, it does not properly validate or sanitize the input before using it to determine which file to retrieve or display. This lack of input validation creates an opportunity for directory traversal attacks where an attacker can append sequences such as ../ to navigate up the directory structure and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can potentially expose sensitive business documents, configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential information that may be stored within the application's file system. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can provide attackers with insights into the system architecture and potentially lead to further exploitation opportunities.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14240 can be severe for organizations using Dolibarr ERP/CRM version 6.0.0, as it enables unauthorized access to potentially sensitive business data and system information. Organizations may experience data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to gain intelligence about the internal structure of the application, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering tactic, specifically targeting the collection of system information and data discovery phases. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the application does not properly enforce access controls based on user roles and permissions. This type of vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where ERP systems contain sensitive financial, operational, and strategic information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of Dolibarr ERP/CRM, as the vendor likely released a security update addressing this specific flaw. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file access operations. Security measures should include enforcing strict access controls that validate user permissions before allowing file access, implementing proper path validation to prevent directory traversal attacks, and logging all file access attempts for monitoring and audit purposes. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Dolibarr installations to identify any other potential vulnerabilities and ensure that proper security configurations are in place. The mitigation strategies should align with industry best practices for secure coding and information security management, addressing both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture improvements. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities.