CVE-2018-14927 in Matera Banco
Summary
by MITRE
Matera Banco 1.0.0 is vulnerable to path traversal (allowing access to system files outside the default application folder) via the /contingency/servlet/ServletFileDownload file parameter, related to /contingency/web/receiptQuery/receiptDisplay.jsp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14927 affects Matera Banco version 1.0.0 and represents a critical path traversal flaw that enables unauthorized access to system files beyond the intended application directory boundaries. This security weakness resides within the file download servlet component that processes requests through the /contingency/servlet/ServletFileDownload endpoint, specifically utilizing the file parameter to retrieve documents. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it originates from the receipt display functionality within the contingency web application, where users can query and view receipt information. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the file parameter to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ServletFileDownload component. When the application processes the file parameter, it fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing maliciously crafted paths to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the /contingency/web/receiptQuery/receiptDisplay.jsp page which serves as the interface for users to access receipt information. This flaw is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a well-documented weakness that has been consistently exploited across various web applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to traverse directory structures using sequences such as ../ or ..\ to access files outside the intended application directory, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, database credentials, or system logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this path traversal vulnerability can access critical system files that may contain sensitive information such as database connection strings, application configuration details, or even operating system files that could reveal system architecture and potential attack vectors. The implications are particularly severe in financial environments like the banking application affected by this vulnerability, where unauthorized access to system files could lead to exposure of customer data, transaction records, or internal banking infrastructure information. This vulnerability also provides a potential foothold for further attacks, as the attacker might use the discovered information to escalate privileges or conduct reconnaissance activities.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-14927 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file parameter handling process. The recommended approach includes implementing strict path validation that ensures all file paths are properly normalized and validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories. Organizations should implement proper access controls that restrict file access to only authorized directories and implement proper output encoding to prevent malicious path sequences from being processed. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal privileges and implement proper logging mechanisms to detect and alert on suspicious file access attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may use the discovered files to map network infrastructure or extract information for further exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically target path traversal attack patterns to prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.