CVE-2019-15600 in http_server
Summary
by MITRE
A Path traversal exists in http_server which allows an attacker to read arbitrary system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15600 represents a critical path traversal flaw within an http_server component that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary system files through improper input validation. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and directory traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in security frameworks including CWE-22 and CWE-23. The flaw occurs when the server fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct file paths, allowing malicious actors to manipulate request parameters to navigate outside of intended directories and access sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves the http_server component processing user requests without adequate validation of file path components, particularly when handling file operations or content delivery. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to bypass access controls and retrieve files from unauthorized locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially allow access to configuration files, system logs, source code repositories, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from external access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on the affected http_server implementation, as it could enable complete system compromise through information disclosure attacks. The ability to read arbitrary system files may lead to credential exposure, application source code disclosure, and potential privilege escalation opportunities that could further compromise the affected system. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access and T1083 for file and directory discovery, making it a valuable reconnaissance tool for threat actors seeking to understand system configurations and identify additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15600 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal attempts. Organizations should enforce strict access controls and implement proper file path validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences. The solution typically involves normalizing file paths, implementing whitelist-based validation, and ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly escaped or encoded before being processed. Security measures should also include regular security assessments, input filtering at multiple layers, and application-level firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular file system audits to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.