CVE-2020-10506 in School Manage System
Summary
by MITRE
The School Manage System, developed by ALLE INFORMATION CO., LTD., contains a vulnerability of Path Traversal, allowing attackers to access arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2024
The CVE-2020-10506 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the School Management System produced by ALLE INFORMATION CO., LTD. This vulnerability resides in the application's file handling mechanisms and allows malicious actors to bypass normal access controls through crafted requests that manipulate file path parameters. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data that is directly used in file system operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access sensitive files and directories that should normally be restricted, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure and system compromise.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering files and directories, and T1074 for data staging through file system access. The vulnerability exists because the system fails to properly validate or sanitize file path inputs before using them in file operations, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the application's file access behavior through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to access potentially sensitive educational data, including student records, academic files, administrative documents, and system configuration information. The compromised system may contain personal identifiable information, financial data, and other confidential materials that could be exploited for identity theft, financial fraud, or further network infiltration. Depending on the system architecture and file permissions, attackers might also gain access to database files, application source code, or system binaries that could facilitate additional attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the school management system's data protection mechanisms, potentially leading to compliance violations under data protection regulations such as GDPR or FERPA.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10506 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures. The system must validate all user-supplied file path parameters against a whitelist of allowed directories and file names, rejecting any requests containing path traversal sequences or unauthorized directory references. Implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. The application should also employ secure coding practices such as using safe file handling functions that prevent directory traversal attacks, implementing proper error handling that does not reveal internal file system information, and conducting regular security code reviews. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, while regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the system's architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against path traversal attacks targeting the school management system.