CVE-2018-12522 in Monitoring
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in perfSONAR Monitoring and Debugging Dashboard (MaDDash) 2.0.2. A direct request to /style/ provides a directory listing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12522 affects the perfSONAR Monitoring and Debugging Dashboard (MaDDash) version 2.0.2, representing a directory traversal and information disclosure weakness that exposes sensitive system components. This issue arises from insufficient access controls and improper directory handling within the web application's resource management system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users make direct requests to the /style/ endpoint, which inadvertently reveals the directory listing of the application's style resources. This exposure creates a significant security risk as it allows unauthorized parties to discover and potentially access additional files and directories that should remain hidden from public view.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-548, which addresses information exposure through directory listing, and represents a classic case of inadequate input validation and access control implementation. The flaw occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to its static resource directories, particularly those containing styling assets and related components. When a user accesses the /style/ path directly, the web server responds with a directory listing rather than properly handling the request through the intended application logic. This behavior indicates that the application's resource handler lacks proper access control mechanisms and does not enforce authentication or authorization checks before serving directory content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can serve as a reconnaissance vector for attackers seeking to map the application's file structure and identify potential additional vulnerabilities. Security researchers and malicious actors can use the exposed directory listing to discover additional files, configuration data, or even sensitive source code components that may contain hardcoded credentials or other exploitable elements. This exposure undermines the principle of least privilege and creates opportunities for further attacks, as attackers can now enumerate the application's internal structure and potentially identify other endpoints or components that may contain vulnerabilities.
Organizations using perfSONAR MaDDash version 2.0.2 should immediately implement mitigations including proper access control enforcement, directory access restrictions, and web server configuration updates to prevent directory listing exposure. The recommended approach involves configuring the web server to disable directory browsing capabilities for sensitive directories and implementing proper authentication mechanisms for accessing application resources. Additionally, this vulnerability should be addressed through patch management procedures, as the issue likely exists in the web application's resource handling logic and requires code-level fixes to properly secure access to static assets. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of similar applications to identify and remediate comparable directory listing vulnerabilities that may exist across their infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential risks associated with exposing internal application structures to unauthorized users, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovering system information through directory listing.