CVE-2018-20635 in Advance B2B Script
Summary
by MITRE
PHP Scripts Mall Advance B2B Script 2.1.4 has directory traversal via a direct request for a listing of an image directory such as an assets/ directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20635 affects PHP Scripts Mall Advance B2B Script version 2.1.4 and represents a directory traversal flaw that allows attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through direct requests to image directories. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references and directory traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in security frameworks including CWE-22 and CWE-23. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes requests for directory listings without proper input validation or access control measures, enabling unauthorized users to navigate beyond the intended directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input that is used to construct file paths or directory references within the web application. When an attacker crafts a malicious request targeting directories such as assets/ or other resource folders, the application fails to validate whether the requested path is within the allowed boundaries. This weakness creates an opportunity for attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and potentially access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, source code, or other confidential data that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools.
The operational impact of this directory traversal vulnerability is significant as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can potentially access critical system files, application source code, database connection strings, and other sensitive information that could be used for further attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as it allows unauthorized information disclosure that could result in data breaches, system compromise, or escalation to higher privileges. The vulnerability also enables potential reconnaissance activities where attackers can map the file system structure and identify additional targets for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20635 should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control measures within the application. The most effective approach involves sanitizing all user-supplied input that is used in file path construction, implementing strict directory access controls, and using whitelisting mechanisms to restrict file access to predefined directories. Security measures should include implementing proper path validation that prevents traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ from being processed, utilizing secure coding practices that avoid direct file path manipulation, and implementing robust authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts, regularly updating and patching vulnerable applications, and conducting thorough security testing including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application code. The remediation efforts should align with industry standards such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices.