CVE-2018-9072 in LXCI for VMware
Summary
by MITRE
In versions prior to 5.5, LXCI for VMware allows an authenticated user to download any system file due to insufficient input sanitization during file downloads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9072 affects LXCI for VMware products prior to version 5.5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of file access controls within the system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters during file download operations. The flaw exists in the application's handling of file paths and identifiers, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated users to bypass normal access restrictions and retrieve arbitrary system files from the underlying operating environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector where user input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or validation. When an authenticated user submits a file download request, the system fails to validate or sanitize the input parameters that specify which file should be retrieved, enabling attackers to manipulate these parameters to access files outside the intended scope. This weakness operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-77 Path Traversal. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to construct malicious file paths using directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries and access protected system resources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to system security as it enables authenticated users to potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, database files, and other critical resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as attackers could potentially retrieve system binaries, configuration files containing credentials, or other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation. This weakness can be leveraged to escalate privileges or gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where VMware systems are commonly deployed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1005 Data from Local System, as it provides attackers with capabilities to enumerate and extract system files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-9072 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to LXCI for VMware version 5.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement strict file access controls and ensure that file download functionality only permits access to predetermined, safe directories. Input validation should include comprehensive sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, with special attention to characters and sequences that could enable path traversal. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the environment.