CVE-2018-8727 in DVMS Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
Path Traversal in Gateway in Mirasys DVMS Workstation 5.12.6 and earlier allows an attacker to traverse the file system to access files or directories via the Web Client webserver.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8727 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Mirasys DVMS Workstation software version 5.12.6 and earlier. This weakness exists in the gateway component of the system and specifically affects the web client webserver functionality. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied file paths, creating an opportunity for unauthorized access to sensitive system files and directories.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The technical implementation involves the web server failing to properly validate or sanitize file path parameters submitted by clients, enabling attackers to manipulate file access requests through crafted input sequences. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\" in their requests, which when processed by the vulnerable web server, can navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access restricted files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access not only sensitive configuration files but potentially system binaries, log files, and other critical components that could aid in further exploitation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract credentials, access system logs, or even retrieve proprietary software components that might reveal implementation details useful for additional attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning in surveillance environments where the DVMS Workstation serves as a central management platform for security systems.
The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file system discovery, and T1566, which encompasses credential access through various means. Organizations using Mirasys DVMS Workstation software are particularly at risk since the vulnerability affects the core web server functionality that typically handles remote management and monitoring operations. The impact is amplified in environments where the system is exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative access is not properly segmented from user-facing interfaces.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions to address the underlying path traversal implementation flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable web server to trusted networks only. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to properly sanitize all file path parameters and reject any attempts to traverse directories. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the surveillance infrastructure that might present similar attack vectors through the same or related software components.