CVE-2018-16475 in Knightjs
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal in Knightjs versions <= 0.0.1 allows an attacker to read content of arbitrary files on a remote server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16475 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Knightjs version 0.0.1 and earlier releases. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected server by manipulating file path parameters in the application's request handling mechanism. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied file paths, allowing malicious actors to traverse the file system hierarchy beyond intended boundaries. The flaw specifically affects the file serving functionality of the Knightjs framework, where user input directly influences the file path resolution process without proper authorization checks or path normalization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input validation in the file access routines. When the application processes requests for file retrieval, it accepts user-provided path parameters without adequately sanitizing them to prevent directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can navigate to sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should not be accessible through the web interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal which specifically addresses improper handling of file paths that can lead to unauthorized access to system resources. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of secure coding practices in file system access controls and input sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16475 is severe and multifaceted, potentially exposing sensitive data including database credentials, configuration files, source code, and system logs to unauthorized parties. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain comprehensive knowledge of the server environment, identify other potential attack vectors, and escalate their privileges within the system. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to exploit it, making the attack surface significantly broader. This weakness can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery which describes methods attackers use to enumerate system resources and gather information about file systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of Knightjs to version 0.0.2 or later where the path traversal issue has been resolved. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization of all file path parameters, ensuring that user input is normalized and checked against a whitelist of allowed paths. The implementation of secure file access patterns using absolute paths and proper access control mechanisms can prevent unauthorized file system traversal. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper network segmentation can help reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and frameworks within the organization's infrastructure, particularly focusing on file handling and input validation routines.