CVE-2017-15607 in Otter
Summary
by MITRE
Inedo Otter before 1.7.4 has directory traversal in filesystem-based rafts via vectors involving '/' characters or initial '.' characters, aka OT-181.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15607 affects Inedo Otter versions prior to 1.7.4 and represents a directory traversal flaw within the filesystem-based rafts functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation when processing path references that contain forward slash characters or initial period characters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access unauthorized file system locations. The vulnerability specifically impacts the raft configuration mechanism that manages file system operations, allowing attackers to manipulate directory paths through carefully crafted inputs that exploit the lack of proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of path resolution within the raft system's file operations. When the system processes file paths containing '/' characters or strings beginning with '.' characters, it fails to adequately validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file system operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that can traverse directory boundaries and access files outside the intended scope of the application's file system access. The flaw operates at the input validation layer where path manipulation occurs, making it a classic example of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to organizations using Inedo Otter versions below 1.7.4. Attackers could potentially access sensitive configuration files, log data, system files, or other restricted resources that should not be accessible through the raft interface. The vulnerability enables unauthorized information disclosure and could potentially lead to privilege escalation or further system compromise depending on the permissions of the application process. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it could provide attackers with insights into the system architecture and potentially enable more sophisticated attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw also relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file searches, as attackers could use this vulnerability to enumerate and access files across the file system. Additionally, the issue demonstrates characteristics of T1566, which involves the delivery of malicious payloads through various attack vectors, as the path traversal could be leveraged to access system files that might contain sensitive information or could be modified to inject malicious code.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Inedo Otter version 1.7.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation controls at multiple layers including application-level sanitization of file path inputs, proper access controls for file system operations, and regular security assessments of file handling mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of file system access patterns can provide additional defensive measures against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough testing of the upgrade process to ensure that all existing configurations continue to function properly while eliminating the vulnerability.