CVE-2017-20181 in Vocable Trainer
Summary
by MITRE • 03/07/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in hgzojer Vocable Trainer up to 1.3.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file src/at/hgz/vocabletrainer/VocableTrainerProvider.java. The manipulation leads to path traversal. Attacking locally is a requirement. Upgrading to version 1.3.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is accf6838078f8eb105cfc7865aba5c705fb68426. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-222328.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20181 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the hgzojer Vocable Trainer application version 1.3.0 and earlier. This security weakness resides in the file src/at/hgz/vocabletrainer/VocableTrainerProvider.java, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and potentially access unauthorized system resources. The vulnerability requires local attack capabilities, meaning an attacker must already have access to the target system to exploit this flaw effectively.
Path traversal vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The flaw enables attackers to navigate through the file system hierarchy by manipulating input parameters that control file access operations. In the context of this vocable trainer application, the vulnerability likely occurs when user-supplied data is directly used in file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. This type of vulnerability can potentially allow attackers to read sensitive files, modify application data, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the application's file access permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for users who have local access to the affected system. While the attack vector requires local presence, this limitation does not diminish the severity since local attackers typically have elevated privileges and can leverage such vulnerabilities to escalate their access or compromise sensitive data. The vulnerability could expose user learning data, application configuration files, or other sensitive information stored within the application's data directory. Additionally, the path traversal could potentially allow attackers to modify the application's behavior or inject malicious code into the system.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to version 1.3.1 of the Vocable Trainer application, which contains the patch identified by the commit hash accf6838078f8eb105cfc7865aba5c705fb68426. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms for file path operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as least privilege access controls, regular security audits of local applications, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns. The vulnerability's classification as critical according to industry standards underscores the importance of immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation that could lead to data breaches or system compromise.