CVE-2018-8812 in One-X Portal for IP Office
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Avaya one-X Portal for IP Office 9.1.2.0 and prior. The DownloadToLocalDriveServlet function from the AFA portal is only intended to download backup ZIP files from the server to the operator desktop; however, a malicious user capable of intercepting the HTTP request would be able to modify folder and filename parameters in order to get access to any file on the underlying operating system, as demonstrated by a folder=/etc/&filename=passwd query string. Additionally it could cause a DoS, as this functions also implements file deletion after downloading.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8812 represents a critical path traversal flaw in Avaya one-X Portal for IP Office versions 9.1.2.0 and earlier, specifically within the DownloadToLocalDriveServlet component of the AFA portal. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file download functionality, creating a dangerous condition where user-supplied parameters can directly influence the file system operations. The flaw exists in the way the servlet processes folder and filename parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate these inputs to access arbitrary files on the underlying operating system rather than being restricted to the intended backup ZIP file downloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability manifests when a malicious user intercepts HTTP requests and modifies the query string parameters to include directory traversal sequences such as folder=/etc/&filename=passwd, enabling access to sensitive system files including password databases and configuration files. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization where the application directly uses user-controllable data without proper validation or filtering mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access to include potential denial of service conditions through the file deletion functionality implemented within the same servlet. When attackers exploit the path traversal capability, they can not only read sensitive files but also potentially delete critical system files or backup archives, leading to complete system compromise or operational disruption. The combination of read and delete capabilities creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can both exfiltrate sensitive data and simultaneously destroy system integrity, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking both information theft and system degradation.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations using affected Avaya systems, as it provides attackers with direct access to operating system files without requiring authentication or elevated privileges beyond the ability to intercept network traffic. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed through man-in-the-middle attacks or by compromising network traffic, making it accessible even to attackers who cannot directly access the system. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns, while also reviewing their network security controls to prevent unauthorized interception of HTTP traffic containing sensitive parameters.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, where server-side components should never trust client-provided data without proper sanitization and validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including web application firewalls, network segmentation, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in their environments. Additionally, the incident highlights the need for proper secure coding practices and regular security testing to identify and remediate path traversal vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.