CVE-2018-20064 in doorGets
Summary
by MITRE
doorGets 7.0 allows remote attackers to write to arbitrary files via directory traversal, as demonstrated by a dg-user/?controller=theme&action=edit&name=doorgets&file=../../1.txt%00 URI with content in the theme_content_nofi parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20064 affects doorGets version 7.0 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to write arbitrary files to the target system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper path handling within the application's file manipulation functions, specifically when processing user-supplied parameters in the theme editing functionality. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows adversaries to bypass normal access controls and directly manipulate the file system through carefully crafted URI parameters that contain directory traversal sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the dg-user/?controller=theme&action=edit&name=doorgets&file=../../1.txt%00 URI structure where the file parameter contains malicious directory traversal sequences. The %00 null byte termination further complicates the attack by potentially allowing bypass of certain input validation mechanisms. When the application processes this malformed URI, it fails to properly sanitize the file path, enabling attackers to write content to files outside the intended directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation as it provides attackers with persistent access to the target system. Successful exploitation allows for the creation of malicious files that could contain web shells, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that could compromise the entire application server. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where doorGets applications are deployed. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent command and control channels, exfiltrate sensitive data, or escalate privileges within the affected system.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected doorGets installations to version 7.1 or later where this flaw has been addressed. Input validation and sanitization should be strengthened throughout the application's file handling components, with proper path normalization and absolute path resolution implemented to prevent directory traversal attacks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the application with minimal required permissions and restricting write access to only necessary directories. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious URI patterns containing directory traversal sequences and null byte terminations, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and script injection. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all file manipulation functions.