CVE-2018-14573 in Digital Signage
Summary
by MITRE
A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exists in the Web Interface API of TightRope Media Carousel Digital Signage before 7.3.5. The RenderingFetch API allows for the downloading of arbitrary files through the use of directory traversal sequences, aka CSL-1683.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14573 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the TightRope Media Carousel Digital Signage system's web interface API. This security weakness affects versions prior to 7.3.5 and specifically targets the RenderingFetch API component that handles file retrieval operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to access sensitive system files through crafted API requests. The issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification aligns with the broader ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution through API endpoints.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform directory traversal attacks by manipulating the API parameters to navigate through the file system hierarchy. When the RenderingFetch API processes requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, it fails to validate or sanitize these inputs properly, allowing unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the server. This includes potentially sensitive configuration files, database credentials, system logs, and other confidential data that may be stored within the application's directory structure. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers can potentially read system files that contain authentication credentials, application source code, or other sensitive materials that could facilitate further exploitation or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on TightRope Media Carousel digital signage systems, particularly those in environments where physical security is limited or where network segmentation is inadequate. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system files that may contain administrative credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive information that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that allows for persistent access to the system, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations using affected versions of the software face potential data breaches, unauthorized content manipulation, and possible disruption of digital signage services that could impact business operations and customer experience.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to TightRope Media Carousel version 7.3.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the digital signage systems from critical internal networks, and access controls should be strengthened to limit API exposure. Input validation mechanisms should be enhanced to properly sanitize all API parameters, particularly those related to file paths, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities in web applications. Additionally, monitoring and logging of API access patterns should be enabled to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in API security design, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001.