CVE-2018-25184 in Surreal ToDo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Surreal ToDo 0.6.1.2 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating the content parameter. Attackers can supply directory traversal sequences through the content parameter in index.php to access sensitive system files like configuration and initialization files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25184 affects Surreal ToDo version 0.6.1.2 and represents a critical local file inclusion flaw that undermines the application's security posture. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation within the application's parameter handling mechanism, specifically in the content parameter of the index.php file. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit directory traversal sequences and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system files that should remain protected from external inspection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into file system operations. When an attacker manipulates the content parameter through index.php, the application processes these inputs without adequate validation, enabling path traversal attacks that can navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This flaw directly aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability enables attackers to access critical system files such as configuration files, initialization scripts, and potentially database connection details that could provide further attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system integrity and data confidentiality. An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from the application's file system, potentially obtaining database credentials, application configuration settings, and other system-related data that could facilitate further exploitation. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it could enable attackers to gain deeper insights into the application's architecture, potentially leading to privilege escalation or additional attack vectors. This type of vulnerability often maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, and can contribute to broader compromise scenarios within the attacked environment.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization measures within the application's codebase. Developers should implement strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ characters. Additionally, the application should employ a whitelist approach for file access, ensuring that only predetermined and safe file paths can be accessed through the content parameter. System administrators should also consider implementing proper access controls and file permissions to limit the exposure of sensitive files even if the vulnerability is not fully patched. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as path traversal flaws often appear in applications that lack comprehensive input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project, which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent such exploitation scenarios.