CVE-2019-15630 in Mulesoft
Summary
by MITRE
Directory Traversal in APIkit, http-connector, and OAuth2 Provider modules in Mulesoft 3.x, 4.x and Mulesoft API Gateway (all versions) released before August 1, 2019 allow remote attackers to read files accessible to the Mule process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15630 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting multiple Mulesoft products including APIkit, http-connector, and OAuth2 Provider modules across versions 3.x, 4.x, and the Mulesoft API Gateway. This weakness enables remote attackers to access files that should normally be restricted, potentially compromising the entire system by allowing unauthorized file access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path sanitization mechanisms within the affected components, creating an attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate file paths to traverse directories beyond intended boundaries. The flaw exists in the core file handling logic of these modules, which fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that influences file system operations, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Mulesoft products are commonly deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the lack of proper path validation by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in file access parameters. When these malformed paths are processed by the vulnerable modules, the system fails to properly resolve or sanitize the input, resulting in unauthorized access to files accessible to the Mule process. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that specifically addresses inadequate restrictions on file path manipulation. The impact extends beyond simple file reading, as attackers can potentially access sensitive configuration files, credentials, application code, and other system resources that may contain critical information for further exploitation.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations using affected Mulesoft products, as it provides attackers with a means to escalate privileges and access sensitive data without authentication. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of these systems since it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and directly access the file system through the Mule runtime environment. This creates a significant risk for enterprise applications that rely on Mulesoft for integration and API management, as compromised systems can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects all versions of the affected products released prior to August 1, 2019, indicating that organizations with legacy deployments may be particularly at risk, especially those that have not implemented proper patch management processes. The attack surface is broad due to the widespread use of these components across various integration scenarios and API gateway implementations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches released on August 1, 2019, which address the directory traversal issue in all affected modules. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, while implementing strict input validation at all levels of the application stack. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in enterprise integration platforms where components handle sensitive data and system resources. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Mulesoft deployments to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may exist in their integration environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables attackers to enumerate and access files on the target system through legitimate file access mechanisms that have been improperly secured.