CVE-2019-15519 in Power-Response
Summary
by MITRE
Power-Response before 2019-02-02 allows directory traversal (up to the application's main directory) via a plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15519 affects Power-Response software versions prior to 2019-02-02 and represents a directory traversal flaw that enables attackers to access files and directories beyond the intended application boundaries. This vulnerability specifically manifests through plugin components within the Power-Response framework, where inadequate input validation allows malicious users to manipulate file paths and navigate to restricted areas of the file system. The directory traversal attack vector permits access up to the application's main directory, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, source code, and other critical system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within plugin handling mechanisms. When Power-Response processes plugin requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize path parameters that could contain directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar constructs. This weakness allows an attacker to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and traverse the file system hierarchy. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web-based interfaces or API endpoints that handle plugin-related functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from remote locations without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15519 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can potentially access database configuration files, application source code, user credentials stored in configuration files, and other sensitive data that may be stored within or accessible from the application's main directory. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which classifies path traversal flaws under the broader category of insecure direct object references. The attack pattern follows TTPs consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries attempt to enumerate and access restricted files and directories to gather intelligence for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15519 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Power-Response installations to version 2019-02-02 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that strip or encode directory traversal sequences before processing any user-supplied path parameters. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of plugin interfaces to only authorized users and systems. Additionally, regular security audits of application code should include thorough review of all file path handling mechanisms, particularly those involving dynamic input processing. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and security teams should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing directory traversal vulnerabilities to ensure rapid containment and remediation of any successful attacks.