CVE-2018-10260 in The Ultimate HRM
Summary
by MITRE
A Local File Inclusion vulnerability was found in HRSALE The Ultimate HRM v1.0.2, exploitable by a low privileged user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The CVE-2018-10260 vulnerability represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within HRSALE The Ultimate HRM version 1.0.2, a human resources management system that has been widely deployed in organizational environments. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of file paths and user input, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to access sensitive files on the server filesystem. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization or validation, enabling an attacker to manipulate file inclusion mechanisms and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling routines. When HRSALE processes user requests involving file operations, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters that determine which files should be included or accessed. This creates a path traversal condition where an attacker can manipulate the application's file inclusion logic to access arbitrary files on the server. The vulnerability is classified as a local file inclusion issue because it allows access to files within the same system where the application is hosted, rather than remote systems. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal, which describes the condition where an attacker can manipulate file paths to access files outside of the intended directory structure. The flaw demonstrates poor secure coding practices where input validation and access control mechanisms are insufficient to prevent unauthorized file access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system information that could compromise the entire organization's security posture. A low privileged user exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access database configuration files, application source code, user credentials stored in configuration files, or other sensitive data that may be stored on the same server. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who might otherwise have limited access to critical system resources. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive data, or establish persistence within the organization's infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers can leverage the LFI condition to obtain sensitive information that may be used for further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10260 should focus on immediate patching of the affected HRSALE application to version 1.0.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent path traversal attacks, including the use of allowlists for file access, proper parameter validation, and the implementation of secure file handling routines. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, file access monitoring, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application development lifecycle, particularly in systems handling sensitive human resources data. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application deployments, emphasizing secure coding practices and the importance of input validation in preventing file inclusion vulnerabilities.