CVE-2020-35580 in SearchBlox
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2021
A local file inclusion vulnerability in the FileServlet in all SearchBlox before 9.2.2 allows remote, unauthenticated users to read arbitrary files from the operating system via a /searchblox/servlet/FileServlet?col=url= request. Additionally, this may be used to read the contents of the SearchBlox configuration file (e.g., searchblox/WEB-INF/config.xml), which contains both the Super Admin's API key and the base64 encoded SHA1 password hashes of other SearchBlox users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-35580 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the FileServlet component of SearchBlox software versions prior to 9.2.2. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and exposes a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate file access requests through a specifically crafted URL parameter. The flaw resides in how the application processes the col=url parameter within the FileServlet endpoint, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file system traversal and content disclosure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which directly relates to the lack of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed HTTP request that targets the /searchblox/servlet/FileServlet?col=url= endpoint. Attackers can manipulate the url parameter to specify arbitrary file paths on the server filesystem, bypassing normal access controls and authorization mechanisms. This unauthenticated access means that any remote user can exploit the vulnerability without requiring valid credentials or prior system access. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates over standard HTTP protocols and requires no privileged access, making it highly accessible to threat actors with basic technical knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file reading capabilities to include sensitive data exposure that could compromise the entire SearchBlox deployment. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they gain access to critical configuration files such as searchblox/WEB-INF/config.xml which contains highly sensitive information. This configuration file houses the Super Admin's API key, providing attackers with administrative privileges to manipulate or completely compromise the SearchBlox instance. Additionally, the file contains base64 encoded SHA1 password hashes of other users, which when cracked through rainbow table attacks or brute force methods, can lead to full account compromise and persistent access to the system. The exposure of these credentials creates a cascading security risk that can extend beyond the immediate application to affect broader network infrastructure.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with multiple tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as the compromised credentials can be used to establish persistent access and lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 Data from Information Repositories, as attackers can extract valuable data from the application's configuration and user databases. Organizations using affected SearchBlox versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive configuration data and user credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-35580 should prioritize immediate patching of all SearchBlox installations to version 9.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent path traversal attacks. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the FileServlet endpoint, particularly blocking external access to the /searchblox/servlet/ path. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all SearchBlox configurations to identify and remove any unnecessary file access permissions. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level to prevent parameter manipulation, and regular security assessments should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The use of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while regular monitoring of system logs should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts.