CVE-2018-15697 in Data Master
Summary
by MITRE
ASUSTOR Data Master 3.1.5 and below allows authenticated remote non-administrative users to read any file on a share by providing the full path. For example, /home/admin/.ash_history.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
This vulnerability exists in ASUSTOR Data Master versions 3.1.5 and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that enables authenticated but non-administrative users to bypass file system permissions and access sensitive files across shared network resources. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path traversal mechanisms within the file sharing component of the application, allowing malicious users to construct specific requests that circumvent normal access controls. The affected system permits users to directly reference file paths without proper authorization checks, creating a privilege escalation scenario where standard users can access administrative files and directories that should remain restricted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied path parameters during file access operations. When an authenticated user submits a request for a file share, the system does not validate whether the requested path falls within the user's authorized scope or if the user possesses sufficient privileges to access the specified file. This weakness creates a directory traversal condition that can be exploited to access files outside of designated share boundaries, including system configuration files, user credentials, and administrative logs. The specific example of accessing /home/admin/.ash_history demonstrates how attackers can target sensitive files containing command history and potentially valuable information about system administration activities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the fundamental security model of the ASUSTOR Data Master system by enabling unauthorized information disclosure. Attackers can extract sensitive data including command history, configuration files, and potentially system credentials that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only individual user privacy but also organizational security posture, as it allows attackers to gather intelligence about system administration practices and potentially identify additional attack vectors. The impact extends beyond simple file access to include potential credential harvesting and system reconnaissance activities that could lead to more severe compromise scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with weak access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it leverages legitimate user accounts to access restricted system information. Organizations using affected versions of ASUSTOR Data Master should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions, implementing network segmentation, and restricting file sharing permissions. Additionally, administrators should review existing user permissions and implement principle of least privilege configurations to minimize potential impact from similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in networked file sharing systems, particularly in environments where multiple users require different levels of access to shared resources.