CVE-2017-16142 in infraserver
Summary
by MITRE
infraserver is a RESTful server. infraserver is vulnerable to a directory traversal issue, giving an attacker access to the filesystem by placing "../" in the url.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16142 affects infraserver, a RESTful server implementation that processes web requests through URL parameters. This directory traversal flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server's filesystem by manipulating URL paths. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied path parameters, enabling malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory structure through the use of relative path traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the server's failure to properly validate or sanitize URL path components before processing them. When a user submits a request containing "../" sequences in the URL, the server interprets these as navigation commands to move up directory levels, potentially allowing access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources. This type of vulnerability is classified as a CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard HTTP requests without requiring special privileges or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to read sensitive files such as database credentials, application configuration files, source code repositories, or system configuration data that may contain passwords or other authentication tokens. The vulnerability can also enable further exploitation techniques including remote code execution through the access of system binaries or web application files that might be writable by the web server process. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where an attacker gains access to system resources through path traversal.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all URL path parameters, enforcing strict directory traversal restrictions, and implementing a whitelist approach for allowed file access. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, while also ensuring that the server operates with minimal required privileges and that sensitive files are properly protected through access controls. Additionally, regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other applications and services. The implementation of proper logging and monitoring mechanisms can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities.