CVE-2018-18777 in Web
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Microstrategy Web, version 7, in "/WebMstr7/servlet/mstrWeb" (in the parameter subpage) allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended SecurityManager restrictions and list a parent directory via a /.. (slash dot dot) in a pathname used by a web application. NOTE: this is a deprecated product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2024
This vulnerability exists within Microstrategy Web version 7's web application component, specifically in the servlet path "/WebMstr7/servlet/mstrWeb" where the subpage parameter is susceptible to directory traversal attacks. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing authenticated attackers to manipulate file path references through the subpage parameter. When a malicious user includes directory traversal sequences such as "/.." within the pathname, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs, enabling unauthorized access to parent directories beyond the intended security boundaries established by the SecurityManager.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in path resolution logic where the application does not adequately sanitize user-controllable input parameters before processing them in file system operations. The subpage parameter in the mstrWeb servlet serves as the attack vector, allowing an authenticated user to craft malicious requests that bypass the application's security controls designed to restrict access to specific directories. This weakness is classified as a directory traversal vulnerability and maps to CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to enumerate directory structures and potentially access sensitive files that should remain protected within the application's security boundaries. The attack requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive data stored in parent directories. The implications extend beyond simple file enumeration as this could lead to further exploitation opportunities including potential privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's parameter handling logic. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable characters and patterns, particularly when these inputs are used in file system operations. The implementation of proper path normalization and canonicalization functions can prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed as intended. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting file system access permissions and implementing proper access controls. Given that this is a deprecated product, organizations should prioritize migration to supported versions or consider implementing network-level firewalls and intrusion detection systems to limit exposure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this weakness to gather intelligence about the target environment or as part of broader attack chains. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that deprecated software products often contain unpatched security flaws that pose significant risks to organizational security.