CVE-2019-10257 in HR Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Zucchetti HR Portal through 2019-03-15 allows Directory Traversal. Unauthenticated users can escape outside of the restricted location (dot-dot-slash notation) to access files or directories that are elsewhere on the system. Through this vulnerability it is possible to read the application's java sources from /WEB-INF/classes/*.class
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10257 affects the Zucchetti HR Portal version released on or before March 15, 2019, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that exposes the system to unauthorized file access. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate file path requests through dot-dot-slash notation sequences. The vulnerability exists in the web application's parameter processing where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or authorization checks. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to navigate beyond the intended application directory boundaries and access sensitive system files that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file access controls. The application fails to validate or sanitize user input that specifies file paths, allowing the attacker to manipulate the application's file resolution mechanism. Through this vulnerability, attackers can access the java class files located within the /WEB-INF/classes/ directory structure, which typically contains compiled application source code and sensitive configuration information. This exposure provides attackers with detailed insights into the application's internal architecture, business logic implementation, and potentially sensitive data handling mechanisms that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to compiled java class files that may contain sensitive implementation details, hardcoded credentials, or business logic that could be exploited for privilege escalation or additional attack vectors. The ability to read application source code creates opportunities for attackers to identify additional vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, understand authentication mechanisms, and develop more sophisticated attack strategies. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that handle sensitive human resources data, as the exposure of compiled application files could reveal implementation details that might be used to target other components or services within the same infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability means that any user with access to the application can exploit it without requiring prior authorization or credentials, making it especially dangerous in environments where the application is publicly accessible.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of the affected application to version 2019-03-16 or later where the directory traversal issue has been resolved. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques that prevent special characters from being interpreted as path traversal sequences. Security measures should include validating all user-supplied input against a strict whitelist of allowed characters and ensuring that file access operations are properly sandboxed within designated directories. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authorization checks for file operations helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive application components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, representing a common attack pattern used by adversaries to gather intelligence about target systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent attempts to exploit similar directory traversal vulnerabilities in their applications.