CVE-2017-16177 in chatbyvista
Summary
by MITRE
chatbyvista is a file server. chatbyvista 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-2017-16177 affects chatbyvista, a file server application that suffers from a directory traversal flaw. This weakness allows attackers to access arbitrary files on the server's filesystem by manipulating URL parameters with ../ sequences. The vulnerability represents a critical security issue that undermines the fundamental security boundaries of the file server implementation.
Directory traversal vulnerabilities occur when user-supplied input is not properly validated or sanitized before being used to access files or directories on the server. In this case, the chatbyvista application fails to adequately filter or restrict path traversal sequences in URL parameters, enabling attackers to navigate beyond the intended file serving directories. The ../ notation allows attackers to move up directory levels and access files that should remain restricted, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, or user data.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. The operational impact of this flaw is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the underlying filesystem, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to read system configuration files, access user credentials, retrieve sensitive documents, or even execute arbitrary code if the server allows script execution in the accessible directories.
The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where chatbyvista is deployed without proper network segmentation or additional security controls. The vulnerability affects the server's access control mechanisms and can lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using this file server should consider this vulnerability in their risk assessments and implement immediate remediation measures.
Mitigation strategies should include input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, particularly URL parameters and file paths. Implementing proper path normalization and restriction mechanisms can prevent traversal sequences from being processed. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing least privilege access controls can provide additional layers of defense. The fix typically involves modifying the application code to reject or properly encode path traversal sequences, ensuring that all file access operations occur within designated safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems.