CVE-2018-14957 in CMS ISWEB
Summary
by MITRE
CMS ISWEB 3.5.3 is vulnerable to directory traversal and local file download, as demonstrated by moduli/downloadFile.php?file=oggetto_documenti/../.././inc/config.php (one can take the control of the application because credentials are present in that config.php file).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14957 affects CMS ISWEB version 3.5.3 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files. This vulnerability resides within the moduli/downloadFile.php component of the application, where inadequate input validation permits attackers to manipulate file path parameters and access files outside the intended directory structure. The specific exploit path demonstrates how an attacker can navigate through directory boundaries using sequences like ../.././inc/config.php to reach critical configuration files containing administrative credentials and system secrets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls by manipulating the file parameter in the downloadFile.php script, effectively enabling arbitrary file access. The attack vector specifically targets the application's file handling mechanism, where user-supplied input directly influences the file path resolution without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation and inadequate access controls can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to critical system configuration files that typically contain database credentials, application secrets, and administrative access information. When an attacker successfully accesses the config.php file through the directory traversal exploit, they gain complete control over the application and potentially the underlying system. This privilege escalation capability allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, and can serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially eliminates the application's ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of its sensitive data.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information), where attackers can leverage directory traversal to discover and extract sensitive files. The remediation strategy must focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, specifically ensuring that all file path parameters are strictly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values. Organizations should implement proper access controls and directory restrictions, ensuring that the application operates within a restricted file system context where it cannot traverse beyond designated directories. Additionally, the implementation of proper error handling and logging mechanisms will aid in detecting and preventing such attacks, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly when handling file operations. It serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly simple file download functionalities can become critical attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including web application firewalls, regular penetration testing, and security awareness training for developers to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems. The remediation process should also include a thorough review of all file handling operations within the application to ensure that similar path traversal vulnerabilities do not exist in other components.