CVE-2017-9416 in Odoo
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in tools.file_open in Odoo 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary local files readable by the Odoo service.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9416 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Odoo enterprise resource planning platform affecting versions 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0. This security weakness resides in the tools.file_open functionality which is responsible for handling file operations within the application. The vulnerability enables remote authenticated attackers to exploit the system's file handling mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive local files that are accessible to the Odoo service process. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied file paths, allowing malicious input to traverse directory structures and access files outside of intended boundaries.
From a technical perspective this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which defines path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities as conditions where applications permit access to files and directories stored outside their intended restricted directories. The flaw operates by accepting user input that contains directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ and failing to normalize or validate these paths before processing. When an authenticated user submits malicious file path parameters to the affected Odoo service, the system processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, resulting in the exposure of arbitrary local files. This includes potentially sensitive system files, configuration files, database files, or other resources that the Odoo service process has access to, creating a significant risk of data leakage and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9416 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with the capability to access files that may contain sensitive credentials, configuration details, or business data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract database connection strings, API keys, application secrets, or other confidential information that could lead to further system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has obtained legitimate user credentials can exploit this flaw without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors. This makes the vulnerability highly attractive to threat actors who may already have legitimate access to the system through compromised accounts or insider threats.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework category T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery techniques. The vulnerability essentially enables attackers to perform unauthorized file system enumeration and access through legitimate application interfaces. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected Odoo versions to the latest releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization for file operations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of Odoo services, enforce strict authentication mechanisms, and monitor for suspicious file access patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom modules or extensions that may not have received the same level of security scrutiny as core platform components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper file handling in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data in file system operations.