CVE-2020-9353 in SmartClient
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in SmartClient 12.0. The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) loadFile provided by the console functionality on the /tools/developerConsoleOperations.jsp (or /isomorphic/IDACall) URL is affected by unauthenticated Local File Inclusion via directory-traversal sequences in the elem XML element in the _transaction parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9353 affects SmartClient version 12.0 and represents a critical security flaw in the application's remote procedure call implementation. This issue manifests through the loadFile functionality within the console operations, specifically accessible via the /tools/developerConsoleOperations.jsp or /isomorphic/IDACall endpoints. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating a pathway for unauthorized file access and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on directory traversal sequences embedded within the elem XML element of the _transaction parameter. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected or restricted. This unauthenticated local file inclusion vulnerability allows malicious actors to retrieve sensitive information, including configuration files, source code, and potentially system credentials without requiring valid authentication credentials. The flaw exists at the application layer where XML processing occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional network-level security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9353 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper system access and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. Organizations running SmartClient 12.0 are at risk of data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to critical business applications. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature means that any user with access to the affected web interface can exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative interfaces are publicly accessible or where insufficient network segmentation exists.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting through the command and control infrastructure, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code or establish persistent access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameter sanitization, and access controls to prevent exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in web applications and their underlying frameworks.
The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input validation mechanisms that reject or sanitize directory traversal sequences before they can be processed by the application. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, access controls, and network segmentation to limit exposure. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to address the root cause of the vulnerability while maintaining comprehensive monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper access controls in web applications to prevent unauthorized system access and data compromise.