CVE-2018-15810 in Flipbox Software Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Visiology Flipbox Software Suite before 2.7.0 allows directory traversal via %5c%2e%2e%2f because it does not sanitize filename parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15810 affects Visiology Flipbox Software Suite versions prior to 2.7.0 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the software's handling of filename parameters, specifically when processing encoded directory traversal sequences. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied file paths, allowing malicious actors to exploit encoded traversal sequences such as %5c%2e%2e%2f which decode to \..\..\. This allows unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure, potentially exposing sensitive data, configuration files, or system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's failure to properly sanitize input parameters before processing file operations. When a user provides a filename parameter containing encoded directory traversal sequences, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, leading to path traversal behavior. This issue aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting malicious requests that include encoded sequences designed to navigate up directory levels, bypassing intended access controls and potentially gaining access to sensitive files that should remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker could leverage this flaw to access system configuration files, user credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data stored on the server. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the Flipbox software suite handles confidential information or serves as part of critical infrastructure components. In enterprise environments, this could result in data breaches, unauthorized system access, or the potential for further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise systems without significant effort.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15810 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 2.7.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and path validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running the vulnerable software and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation at all application layers, conducting regular security assessments of third-party software components, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual file access patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized system access and potential lateral movement within compromised environments. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party software dependencies.