CVE-2019-6268 in SecFlow-2
Summary
by MITRE • 03/08/2024
RAD SecFlow-2 devices with Hardware 0202, Firmware 4.1.01.63, and U-Boot 2010.12 allow URIs beginning with /.. for Directory Traversal, as demonstrated by reading /etc/shadow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6268 affects RAD SecFlow-2 network security appliances with specific hardware and firmware configurations, presenting a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files. This vulnerability exists within the web interface of these devices, specifically in how they handle Uniform Resource Identifiers that begin with the /.. sequence, which is a well-known pattern for exploiting directory traversal attacks. The affected hardware revision 0202 combined with firmware version 4.1.01.63 and U-Boot 2010.12 creates a condition where the device fails to properly validate or sanitize URI inputs, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web server component of the SecFlow-2 device. When a user or attacker submits a URI containing the /.. sequence, the device does not adequately sanitize this input before processing it, leading to a directory traversal condition. This flaw specifically impacts how the device interprets and resolves file paths, allowing an attacker to craft malicious requests that can traverse up the directory tree and access files in restricted locations. The demonstration of this vulnerability using /etc/shadow as an example shows that attackers can gain access to critical system files containing password hashes and other sensitive information that should be protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the ability to read sensitive system files that contain authentication credentials, configuration data, and other critical information. Access to /etc/shadow specifically allows for password hash extraction, which can then be subjected to offline password cracking attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to access other sensitive files such as configuration backups, certificate stores, and system logs that could reveal network topology, administrative credentials, or other intelligence valuable for further attacks. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor method for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the device's internal file system.
The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as this vulnerability aligns with several attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation. The directory traversal technique used in this vulnerability maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. This weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root directory, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise. Organizations using these devices face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential network infiltration, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities. The combination of the specific hardware and firmware versions creates a predictable attack surface that security researchers and attackers can easily identify and exploit.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the directory traversal flaw, along with network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Organizations should implement web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URI patterns, particularly those containing multiple consecutive directory traversal sequences. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that all network devices are running patched firmware versions and that proper network segmentation is in place to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, as this type of flaw could have been prevented through proper implementation of path validation and sanitization routines. Network administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual file access patterns or attempts to access sensitive system files, providing additional layers of defense against exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.