CVE-2018-20227 in RDF4j
Summary
by MITRE
RDF4J 2.4.2 allows Directory Traversal via ../ in an entry in a ZIP archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-20227 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in RDF4J version 2.4.2 that enables attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by manipulating file paths within ZIP archive entries. This vulnerability specifically manifests when RDF4J processes ZIP archives containing entries with ../ sequences in their filenames, allowing malicious actors to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive data or system resources. The flaw resides in how the software handles file path resolution during ZIP archive extraction, where input validation fails to properly sanitize or restrict directory traversal sequences. This issue falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that has been exploited in numerous security incidents across various software platforms. The vulnerability presents significant operational risks as it can be leveraged to read configuration files, database credentials, source code, or other confidential information stored outside the intended application boundaries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious ZIP archives with specially formatted entry names containing directory traversal sequences, which when processed by RDF4J, result in unauthorized file access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable further exploitation such as code execution or system compromise if the application processes these files with elevated privileges. Organizations using RDF4J in environments where untrusted ZIP archives may be processed face elevated risk, particularly in web applications or systems that accept file uploads from external sources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage this flaw to discover system files and potentially escalate privileges. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability affects the core file processing functionality of RDF4J and represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and path resolution mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in file system operations, as the software should never allow arbitrary path traversal regardless of input source. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of RDF4J and implement proper file validation controls to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file processing functions and the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that prevent path traversal attacks. This issue underscores the critical nature of validating all file paths and ensuring that applications do not permit directory traversal sequences to influence file system operations, particularly in applications that handle untrusted input from external sources.