CVE-2018-15536 in Filemanager
Summary
by MITRE
/filemanager/ajax_calls.php in tecrail Responsive FileManager before 9.13.4 does not properly validate file paths in archives, allowing for the extraction of crafted archives to overwrite arbitrary files via an extract action, aka Directory Traversal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15536 resides within the tecrail Responsive FileManager application version 9.13.3 and earlier, presenting a critical directory traversal flaw that enables attackers to manipulate file extraction processes. This vulnerability specifically affects the /filemanager/ajax_calls.php component which handles archive extraction operations. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of file paths during archive extraction, allowing maliciously crafted archives to target arbitrary file locations on the server filesystem. Such improper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal file access controls and potentially overwrite critical system files or inject malicious content into the application's environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic directory traversal pattern where the application fails to sanitize or validate the paths contained within compressed archives before extracting them to the target filesystem. When users upload or extract archives through the file manager interface, the system does not adequately check whether the archive entries contain relative path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that would allow extraction outside the intended directory structure. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows an attacker to specify arbitrary file paths during archive extraction, potentially leading to overwrite operations on critical system files, configuration files, or application binaries that could compromise the entire system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on the tecrail Responsive FileManager for file management operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to overwrite system files, inject malicious code into the application, or manipulate critical configuration data that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, meaning any user with access to the file manager interface can potentially exploit this weakness. The attack surface extends beyond simple file overwrites to include potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can manipulate application behavior or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it can be exploited through legitimate file management operations while potentially enabling further malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15536 should focus on immediate application updates to version 9.13.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the path validation issue. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict file type validation, and applying proper input sanitization to all archive extraction operations. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious archive extraction patterns. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits of file manager configurations, ensure proper file permissions are enforced, and implement regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other components. The patch for this vulnerability addresses the core issue by implementing proper path validation during archive extraction, ensuring that all file paths are properly sanitized and validated before any extraction operations are performed, thereby preventing directory traversal attacks that could compromise system integrity.