CVE-2018-1000550 in sympa
Summary
by MITRE
The Sympa Community Sympa version prior to version 6.2.32 contains a Directory Traversal vulnerability in wwsympa.fcgi template editing function that can result in Possibility to create or modify files on the server filesystem. This attack appear to be exploitable via HTTP GET/POST request. This vulnerability appears to have been fixed in 6.2.32.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000550 affects the Sympa Community mailing list manager software, specifically targeting versions prior to 6.2.32. This directory traversal flaw exists within the wwsympa.fcgi template editing functionality, representing a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized users to manipulate the underlying file system. The vulnerability manifests through HTTP GET and POST requests, making it accessible via standard web protocols and potentially exploitable by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the template editing component, which fails to properly restrict file path access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform arbitrary file system operations including file creation and modification on the affected server. This directory traversal vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain persistent access to the server's file system, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway through the wwsympa.fcgi interface demonstrates a critical design flaw in the software's access control mechanisms, where user-supplied parameters are not adequately validated before being processed in file system operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Sympa for email list management services. The ability to create or modify files on the server filesystem can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. Attackers could potentially upload malicious files, modify configuration settings, or establish backdoors for persistent access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond immediate file system manipulation as it provides a foothold for further exploitation activities. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, data breaches, and reputational damage if exploited successfully. The attack vector through HTTP requests means that even unauthenticated users could potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
The fix implemented in version 6.2.32 addresses this vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the template editing functionality. Security patches typically involve implementing strict path validation, removing or restricting dangerous file operations, and ensuring that all file system access is properly authorized and restricted. Organizations should prioritize immediate upgrade to version 6.2.32 or later to mitigate this risk. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests, restricting access to the affected interface, and monitoring for unusual file system activity. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078.004 for valid accounts. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their email infrastructure and implement defense-in-depth strategies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising their systems.