CVE-2020-36628 in APDE
Summary
by MITRE • 12/25/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Calsign APDE. This affects the function handleExtract of the file APDE/src/main/java/com/calsignlabs/apde/build/dag/CopyBuildTask.java of the component ZIP File Handler. The manipulation leads to path traversal. Upgrading to version 0.5.2-pre2-alpha is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-216747.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36628 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Calsign APDE application's ZIP File Handler component. This security weakness exists in the handleExtract function located within the CopyBuildTask.java file at APDE/src/main/java/com/calsignlabs/apde/build/dag/CopyBuildTask.java. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file extraction processes and potentially access arbitrary files on the system through maliciously crafted ZIP archives. Path traversal vulnerabilities of this nature allow adversaries to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access sensitive system resources that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during ZIP file extraction operations. When the handleExtract function processes compressed files, it fails to properly sanitize or validate file paths contained within the archive, allowing attackers to include malicious path sequences such as "../" or "..\" in their file names. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities that occur when applications fail to properly validate file paths. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, where the application's extraction logic does not adequately restrict the destination paths of extracted files, creating opportunities for attackers to write files outside of the intended target directory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant and potentially devastating for systems running affected versions of Calsign APDE. Attackers could exploit this weakness to read sensitive configuration files, access source code repositories, extract database credentials, or even write malicious files to critical system locations. The vulnerability affects the build and deployment processes within the application, potentially compromising the integrity of software development environments and leading to unauthorized code execution or data exfiltration. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in development environments where sensitive project files and credentials might be stored in accessible locations.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect systems running vulnerable versions of Calsign APDE. The primary and recommended solution involves upgrading to version 0.5.2-pre2-alpha, which contains the necessary patches to address the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as restricting file extraction permissions, validating all file paths before extraction, and monitoring system access logs for suspicious file operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers might leverage path traversal to execute malicious code through compromised build processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing unauthorized system access through archive handling components.
Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of Calsign APDE and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that immediate action is required to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors. System administrators should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file extraction activities and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to understand the current threat landscape surrounding this specific vulnerability. Regular security audits of software development tools and build environments are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into production systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues while maintaining the security posture of the overall development infrastructure.