CVE-2018-5716 in License Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Reprise License Manager 11.0. This vulnerability is a Path Traversal where the attacker, by changing a field in the Web Request, can have access to files on the File System of the Server. By specifying a pathname in the POST parameter "lf" to the goform/edit_lf_get_data URI, the attacker can retrieve the content of a file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The CVE-2018-5716 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Reprise License Manager version 11.0, a widely used software licensing solution that manages license files and configuration data for various applications. This vulnerability specifically affects the web interface component of the license manager, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying server filesystem. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied input within the web request processing pipeline, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the pathname parameter before using it to access system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific URI endpoint at goform/edit_lf_get_data where the application accepts a POST parameter named "lf" that should contain a license file path. When an attacker crafts a malicious request with a specially formatted pathname in this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate validation, allowing the attacker to traverse the filesystem using directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques. This improper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to access sensitive files including configuration files, license data, system credentials, and potentially system binaries that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to extract potentially sensitive data from the server filesystem. Depending on the system configuration and the permissions of the web application process, attackers may be able to access not only license files but also system configuration files, database files, application source code, and other confidential information that could be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the license management system, potentially exposing intellectual property, system architecture details, and authentication credentials that could enable more sophisticated attacks against the broader network infrastructure.
Security practitioners should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of the Reprise License Manager to version 11.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization for the affected parameter. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the license manager web interface to trusted networks only. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Accessing Data via External Remote Services, representing a critical weakness in input validation that enables unauthorized file system access. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious path traversal patterns, conduct regular security assessments of license management systems, and ensure proper least privilege access controls are in place for all system components handling user-supplied data.