CVE-2019-12791 in Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
A directory traversal vulnerability in the v-list-user script in Vesta Control Panel 0.9.8-24 allows remote attackers to escalate from regular registered users to root via the password reset form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12791 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Vesta Control Panel 0.9.8-24 software ecosystem. This issue specifically affects the v-list-user script which serves as a component for user management and listing within the control panel interface. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path access during password reset operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate file system access patterns and potentially gain unauthorized root-level privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the password reset form functionality where user input is not adequately filtered or validated before being processed by the underlying script. When a regular user submits a password reset request, the v-list-user script processes the input without proper path validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious path traversal sequences such as ../ or ../../ that can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This flaw falls under the CWE-22 category of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files and directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exposure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to traverse the file system and potentially access critical system files, configuration data, and user credentials that are normally protected by proper access controls. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor path that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms, enabling attackers to move laterally within the system and potentially establish persistent access. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1548.001 for Abuse of Cloud Instance Metadata, as the attack leverages legitimate user accounts to escalate privileges.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given that Vesta Control Panel is commonly used for hosting and server management operations. The privilege escalation from regular user to root level access means that attackers can execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, install malware, and potentially compromise the entire hosting infrastructure. Organizations running affected versions of Vesta Control Panel face significant risk of unauthorized system access and potential data breaches. The vulnerability also impacts the principle of least privilege, as it allows users to bypass normal access controls that should prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12791 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Vesta Control Panel version to the latest stable release that contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the control panel to trusted networks only. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components, and input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing interfaces to prevent similar path traversal attacks. The fix should include proper path normalization and validation to ensure that all file system access operations remain within designated boundaries. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.