CVE-2020-24985 in EspressReports ES
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2021
An issue was discovered in Quadbase EspressReports ES 7 Update 9. An authenticated user is able to navigate to the MenuPage section of the application, and change the frmsrc parameter value to retrieve and execute external files or payloads.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2021
This vulnerability exists within Quadbase EspressReports ES 7 Update 9, representing a critical path traversal and remote code execution flaw that can be exploited by authenticated users. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the MenuPage section of the application, specifically in how the frmsrc parameter is processed. When an authenticated user manipulates this parameter, the application fails to properly validate the input, allowing arbitrary file paths to be passed directly to the file system, potentially enabling access to sensitive system resources or execution of malicious payloads. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-94 Code Injection, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector operates through the application's user interface where legitimate authenticated users can modify URL parameters, making this a particularly dangerous flaw as it leverages existing user permissions to escalate privileges and execute unauthorized code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system with the privileges of the application service account. This represents a significant threat to enterprise environments where EspressReports is deployed, as it allows for potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient parameter validation that enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve files from the server's file system that should remain protected. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries can execute code through manipulated application parameters, and T1566 Impersonation, as the attack leverages legitimate user credentials to perform malicious actions. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only obtain valid user credentials to potentially compromise the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where user access is not properly segmented.
Organizations utilizing Quadbase EspressReports ES 7 Update 9 should implement immediate mitigations including input validation controls, parameter sanitization, and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized file access. The recommended approach involves implementing strict input validation that filters out potentially dangerous characters and paths, particularly those associated with directory traversal attacks such as ../ or ..\. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for application users and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The fix should include proper parameter validation that ensures all input values conform to expected patterns and restricts access to system resources through the application's interface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous parameter values in URL requests, particularly those containing directory traversal sequences. Patch management procedures should be prioritized to ensure timely deployment of vendor-provided security updates, as this vulnerability represents a known flaw that requires specific application-level fixes rather than network-level protections alone. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing to validate that the implemented controls effectively prevent the exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other application components.