CVE-2017-2098 in CubeCart
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in CubeCart versions prior to 6.1.4 allows remote authenticated attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2098 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within CubeCart e-commerce platform versions prior to 6.1.4. This security weakness enables authenticated attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing file operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions on file path resolution, allowing malicious actors to manipulate directory navigation sequences and access sensitive files outside the intended application scope. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths exist within the application's file handling logic, potentially affecting various components including configuration files, database credentials, and system resources. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths, leading to predictable exploitation patterns where attackers can manipulate directory traversal sequences like ../ to navigate upward through the file system hierarchy.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated user sessions, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the CubeCart system before attempting to leverage the directory traversal capability. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities but does not eliminate the severity of the flaw. The flaw operates at the application level where file operations are processed, typically involving functions that handle file uploads, downloads, or system file access. Attackers can construct malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences to access files that should remain restricted, potentially including administrative configuration files, database connection details, or even system-level files that contain sensitive information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2098 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as the compromised data could include sensitive system information that enables further exploitation or data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access database configuration files containing administrative credentials, application source code that reveals additional attack vectors, or system files that provide insights into the underlying infrastructure. This information could facilitate privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability also poses significant business risks including data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage when sensitive customer or financial information becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. Organizations using affected CubeCart versions face potential exposure to attackers who can systematically enumerate and access files that should remain protected within the application's intended directory structure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2098 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch version 6.1.4, which addresses the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of file path parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that reject or sanitize any input containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or \. The security controls should include strict path validation that ensures file operations occur only within designated directories and that absolute paths are properly resolved against a whitelist of allowed locations. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is eliminated. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known directory traversal attack patterns, and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other applications within the infrastructure. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1074.001 which involves data staging through local data staging, where attackers often leverage directory traversal to access sensitive data that can be exfiltrated from the compromised system.