CVE-2019-3580 in OpenRefine
Summary
by MITRE
OpenRefine through 3.1 allows arbitrary file write because Directory Traversal can occur during the import of a crafted project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3580 affects OpenRefine versions 3.1 and earlier, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables arbitrary file write operations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during the project file import process, where maliciously crafted project files can exploit path traversal mechanisms to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system. The flaw exists within the application's handling of project files that contain specially crafted paths, allowing attackers to bypass normal file system access controls and potentially execute unauthorized operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. When OpenRefine processes a crafted project file, it fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths contained within the project metadata, enabling attackers to specify absolute or relative paths that traverse outside the intended import directory. This weakness allows for the creation of files in system directories, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data corruption, or unauthorized modifications to critical system components. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction through the import functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users can upload or import project files from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3580 extends beyond simple file system manipulation, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the ATT&CK framework's persistence and privilege escalation domains. An attacker could potentially write malicious scripts or configuration files to system directories, creating backdoors or modifying existing applications to maintain persistent access. The vulnerability also poses significant risks in multi-user environments where different users have varying permission levels, as successful exploitation could allow lower-privileged users to write files to protected system areas. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, potentially enabling further compromise of the system through the execution of malicious code or the modification of critical application components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3580 should focus on immediate patching of affected OpenRefine installations to version 3.2 or later, where the directory traversal vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and path sanitization. Organizations should implement strict file import policies that restrict the sources of project files and validate all imported content through automated scanning tools. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker gains write access, they cannot easily escalate privileges or access critical system components. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file system activity or unauthorized write operations in critical directories. System administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regularly audit file system permissions to prevent unauthorized modifications to sensitive areas of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file handling mechanisms.